Question

In my solar system, we have a planet that is the innermost to our star that is exactly like the innermost planet in your solar system. The planet has a very large impact crater with a basin that covers a large region of the planet's surface, but few smaller craters have formed on top of it. What can one conclude from this?

Answer 1

1. The planet doesn't have a thick enough atmosphere.

2. There have been multiple impacts on the planet.

Step-by-step explanation:

As the planet is very close to the star, there is high possibility that it will not have an atmosphere. Just like Mercury doesn't have one. Presence of a very large crater with basin indicates that in the past a huge body had hit the planet and thus creating the crater with basin. Also, it must be very old.

Second observation that is given is the presence of smaller craters in the basin. This indicates impact craters created by smaller objects. If the planet had an atmosphere, these smaller objects would not be able to penetrate and reach the surface. Thus presence of these smaller crater indicate towards the planet not having any atmosphere.