why are all craters on the moon round? You would think that most would look elongated or elliptical depending on the angle of impact.
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This is just very wrong though. Friction is the reason. The angle a meteor enter earth atmosphere determines everything about its definition and characteristic. When a meteor is large enough to withstand the heat and friction of our atmosphere it is called a meteorite, and that friction along with gravity it withstood sets it relatively close to perpendicular with the surface of earth
Or why impacts can meet a certain “max depth” but not exceed it? Despite the radius of the impact
A little bit off topic but it all ways annoys me in movies where an outer space shot of a meteor heading to earth is going to hit head on. 90°. But then when it cuts to earth view, it always streaks across the sky as if to be parallel with the earth before losing its fight with gravity and hitting at a 160° angle.
Side Question: what if a meteor comes in at almost the same speed as the moon? Is that possible or would it get accelerated anyway when in orbit before it crashes on the moon’s surface?
If you want a really smart 5 year old’s explanation, you won’t beat this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCGWGJOUjHY
This is Scott Manley and he’s the real deal. Super good at explaining space stuff, and I “met” him looking for help with Kerbal Space Program.
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