What geological features serve as a 'geological clock' on the far side, indicating impact age by their relative brightness?
Answer
Ejecta rays
Ejecta rays are bright streaks extending outwards from impact craters, composed of freshly excavated, bright rock fragments, frequently the highland material anorthosite. These rays are highly visible immediately following an impact event. Over millions of years, these bright features undergo space weathering—degradation caused by micrometeorite bombardment and solar wind particles—which darkens the surface minerals by producing tiny particles of nanophase iron. Consequently, the brighter the ejecta rays appear, the more recently the impact occurred, making their brightness an indicator of relative geological youth.
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