An impact crater is a bowl-shaped depression formed when a celestial object, such as a meteorite or asteroid, collides with a planet or moon's surface. The force of the impact creates a shock wave that excavates material, resulting in a crater that can vary in size from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers across. These craters can provide valuable information about the history of the Earth and other celestial bodies, including Mars and the Moon. Studying impact craters helps scientists understand the frequency of impacts and the geological processes that shape planetary surfaces.