How many craters are on the moon?

As the closest celestial body to Earth, the moon has fascinated scientists and casual observers alike for centuries. One of the most striking features of the moon are its numerous craters.

It is estimated that there are over 5 million craters on the moon, although only a fraction of these have been officially named by the International Astronomical Union. The largest of these craters is the South Pole-Aitken Basin, which measures about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) across.

The craters on the moon were created by a combination of factors, including the impact of asteroids and comets, volcanic activity, and seismic activity. The lack of an atmosphere on the moon means that objects can hit its surface without being burned up, as they would be on Earth.

While the moon's craters are fascinating to observe from Earth, they also provide valuable information for scientists studying the history and composition of our closest neighbor in space.