Which moon, notable for being larger than Mercury, is characterized by a heavily cratered, ancient surface?
Answer
Callisto
Callisto is the Galilean moon specifically identified as having a heavily cratered, ancient surface, suggesting it is geologically inert and has changed very little over billions of years since its formation. Furthermore, the text notes that Callisto is the outermost of the four large moons orbiting Jupiter. Its lower density, compared to the innermost moon Io, suggests it formed farther out and likely migrated inward slowly, retaining less internal heat than its neighbors, resulting in a preserved surface history marked by impact scars.
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