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How does knowing the age of a lunar rock help astronomers estimate the age of the surface of a planet with no atmosphere?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Because there is no atmosphere, no erosion has taken place, so lunar rocks are the same today as they were when they (and the Moon) were formed.
Also to what this other person wrote:
By knowing the rate of cratering, scientists are able to use the number of craters on the surface of any body to estimate how old its surface is-- without having to bring back rock samples. The lunar rocks brought back during the Apollo missions were found to be about 4.6 billion years old. Because these rocks have hardly changed since they formed, we know the solar system itself is about 4.6 billion years old.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What do Astronomers believe possible about Mars?
They believe Mars had surface water at one time.
An explosion of hydrogen gas from the sun's surface?
A solar flare, I think
What happens to impacts on the surface of bodies without an atmosphere?
W/o an atmosphere to erode them, they stay fresh. because scientists now know the age of the moon, they can count the number of impacts craters to find the rate of the cratering science the birth of our solar system. by knowing the rate of crating, scientists are able to use the number of the craters on any body of water to estimate how old the body of water is. this is easier because sceintsts don't need to bring back the rock to find out.
What are proof of astronomers that landed on the moon?
To date no astronomers have landed on the moon. The only scientist to walk the surface is Jack Schmitt, a geologist. For more information debunking the moon hoax myth, see: www.clavius.org
Why has the Moon's surface remined unchanged?
because it is not in the earth's atmosphere. in space there isn't an atmpsphere therefore its surface does not change. k because it is not in the earth's atmosphere. in space there isn't an atmpsphere therefore its surface does not change. k
How can astronomers use the age of a lunar rock to estimate the age of the surface of a planet such as murcery?
Bootyhole
Will New technologies allow astronomers to use X-ray telescopes on Earth's surface?
We had best hope the answer is 'no'. In order to use x-ray telescopes effectively from the earth's surface, you'd have to get rid of the atmosphere.
What is the faint outer atmosphere of the sun?
the atmosphere of the sun is called the corona the corona is many times hotter the surface of the sun. Astronomers can see the corona with special laboratory equipment, but otherwise it is only visible during a total eclipse.
What is the atmosphere on the surface of Venus's?
The atmosphere on the surface of Venus is cloudy.
Why can astronomers see the surface of mars clearly not the surface of Venus?
Surface materialsbasaltic rock and altered materials
What were astronomers able to photograph Mars' surface easily?
The reason astronomers were able to photograph the surface of Mars is due to probes, unmanned spacecrafts used for exploration in space.
Do astronomers know what the surface of Venus is like?
yes of course
Part of tge earths atmosphere closest to its surface?
The part of the earth's atmosphere that is closest to its surface is known as the troposphere.
Why is the atmosphere near the earth's surface densest?
The mass of the atmosphere compresses the atmosphere and it is most compressed near the earth's surface where the entire height of the atmosphere is above it.
How does the water move from Earth's surface to the atmosphere?
how did water from the earth's surface get into the atmosphere
What keeps Earth's atmosphere close to the surface?
The gravitational pull keeps the Earth's atmosphere close to the surface...
What layer of the atmosphere is adjacent to the surface of the earth?
Troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, which is adjacent to the earth's surface.
