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The '''surface area''' of any celestial body is the total measure of the area of its surface. For an object in a hydrostatic-equilibrium or near-spherical shape, the surface area is a function of the equatorial and polar radii of the object. But some objects, like the [[Mars|Martian]] [[moon]]s [[Phobos]] and [[Deimos]], have highly irregular shapes, and their surface areas do not lend themselves to an accurate calculation.

The '''surface area''' of any three-dimensional [[shape]] is the total measure of the [[area]] of its two-dimensional [[surface]]. Surface areas of common shapes, such as [[sphere]]s and [[pyramind]]s have simple formulas, while most more complicated shapes can have their surface area measured by using [[calculus]]. [[Fractal]]s are pathological mathematical objects with finite [[volume]] but infinite surface area.

 

[[Astronomers]] are often interested in the surface area of celestial bodies. For an object in a hydrostatic-equilibrium or near-spherical shape, the surface area is a function of the [[equator]]ial and [[polar]] [[radii]] of the object. But some objects, like the [[Mars|Martian]] [[moon]]s [[Phobos]] and [[Deimos]], have highly irregular shapes, and their surface areas do not lend themselves to an accurate calculation.

Surface areas of [[solar system]] bodies are often given not only in traditional units of area but also as a fraction or multiple of the surface area of the [[earth]].

Surface areas of [[solar system]] bodies are often given not only in traditional units of area but also as a fraction or multiple of the surface area of the [[earth]].

[[Category:Astronomy]]

[[Category:Geometry]][[Category:Astronomy]]