BBC Sky at Night

The surfaces of planets

Age: Up to 4 billion years

Space rocks collected on Earth reveal how oldsame. The older a planet's surface is, the more craters it accumulates. After around four billion years, the surface is completely covered. Up to this age, however, it's possible to count the number of craters to reveal how old the surface is.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from BBC Sky at Night

BBC Sky at Night1 min read
Parker's Design Features
To withstand the extreme heat and radiation found in our star’s immediate neighbourhood, Parker Solar Probe is protected by a 2.3-metre-diameter (7.5ft) hexagonal solar shield, weighing just 73kg (160lb) and mounted on its Sunfacing side. This shield
BBC Sky at Night3 min read
Saturn
PICK OF THE MONTH Best time to see: 31 May, 04:00 BST (03:00 UT) Altitude: 12° Location: Aquarius Direction: Southeast Features: Rings, subtle atmospheric banding, brighter moons Recommended equipment: 75mm or larger telescope There’s no getting away
BBC Sky at Night5 min read
CHANG'E 6 Journeys To The Lunar Far Side
On 16 December 2020, the return capsule of the Chang’e 5 mission landed in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It had travelled hundreds of thousands of miles from the Moon, carrying 1,731g (61 oz) of precious lunar dust. Remarkably, this repre

Related Books & Audiobooks