PHOBOS and DEIMOS

Martian moons

Get to know Phobos and Deimos through Dr Lee's words

"Scenario number three is interesting. It's a bit similar to the origin of our moon, which is that Mars got hit by a giant asteroid at some point, and debris got flung into Mars orbit and then reassembled into little moons. One became Deimos, another one became Phobos. (...) In this scenario, these objects would be made of Martian material." - Dr. Lee

Explore Mars through Phobos and Deimos

"We think Phobos and Deimos might have lots of pieces of Mars scattered in their soil. (...) What that means is by landing on Phobos, which is less complicated and requires less energy than landing on Mars, you could -by bringing back samples of the soil- study well preserved samples of the early history of Mars, when the planet might have had more water and even possibly life." - Dr. Lee

Why are we interested in exploring the Martian Moons?

Phobos and Deimos offer unique opportunities for scientific discovery and the advancement of Mars exploration. Their resources, insights into the early solar system, and strategic locations could greatly enhance future missions.

Leveraging Local Resources

Phobos and Deimos may contain water and carbon-based materials that could support sustainable Mars missions. By tapping into these resources, the dependence on costly supplies from Earth could be reduced. Therefore, Mars exploration would become more feasible and self-sustaining.

Uncovering the Mysteries of the Early Solar System

Studying the Martian moons could lead to valuable insights about the origins of our solar system. Whether they’re captured asteroids, fragments from Mars, or co-accreted with the planet, Phobos and Deimos hold information that could deepen our understanding of planetary formation and evolution.

A Strategic Base for Mars Exploration

With their low gravity and manageable surface conditions, Phobos and Deimos seem to be ideal sites for testing technologies. Landing here requires less energy than Mars itself, providing a safer, more efficient way to better shape mission protocols and prepare for human exploration of Mars.

Image From: NASA - https://science.nasa.gov/mars/moons/phobos/

Phobos

Phobos is Mars' largest moon. Its size is 17 x 14 x 11 miles (27 by 22 by 18 kilometers) in diameter. Phobos completes three revolutions around Mars every day. It orbits only 3,700 miles (6,000 kilometers) above the Martian surface.

No known moon orbits closer to its planet!

Image From: Britannica - https://www.britannica.com/place/Phobos-moon-of-Mars

Composition

Phobos is one of the least reflective objects in the Solar System, with an albedo of approximately 0.071. Infrared spectral analysis reveals carbon-rich material, and its composition matches Mar's surface. The low density of Phobos indicates it is not made of solid rock and has significant porosity, leading scientists to propose that Phobos could contain ice.

Image From: SYFY - https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-martian-moon-phobos-is-doomed-to-crash-into-the-planet

The inevitable fate of Phobos

Phobos is on a path that will eventually lead it to collide with Mars. It is approaching the planet at a speed of about six feet (1.8 meters) per century. Therefore, if this continues, the moon will either crash into Mars in 50 million years or disintegrate into a ring around the planet.

Image From: NASA - https://science.nasa.gov/resource/stickney-crater-phobos/

Stickney Crater

The most notable feature on Phobos is Stickney Crater, named after Chloe Angeline Stickney Hall, a mathematician and the wife of astronomer Asaph Hall. In 1877, Asaph Hall discovered both of Mars' moons. Stickney Crater's size is approximately 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) in diameter, covering nearly half of Phobos' surface.

Phobos_over_Mars_-_Peridier_Crater,_Syrtis_Major_quadrangle_-_ESA_Mars_Express_(5256816702

Image From: ESA - https://www.flickr.com/photos/192271236@N03/52568167027

Extreme temperatures

The contrasts between Phobos day and night is extreme and has been proved by the temperature measured on both sides. The sunlit side reaches highs around 25°F (-4°C), while just a few kilometers away, the dark side falls to extreme coldness of -170°F (-112°C). This rapid heat loss likely results from the fine dust covering Phobos, which cannot retain warmth.

DEIMOS

Named after the Greek god Deimos, the moon has a mean radius of 6.2 km (3.9 miles) and orbits Mars in 30.3 hours. Deimos lies at a distance of 23,460 km (14,580 miles) from Mars, making it significantly farther from the planet than Phobos.

Image From: NASA - https://science.nasa.gov/mars/moons/phobos/

Image From: Cité de l'espace - https://en.cite-espace.com/space-news/mars-and-its-moon-deimos-by-the-hope-probe/

Deimos detachment

Deimos’ orbit is gradually expanding due to its distance from Mars and the effect of tidal acceleration. Over time, it is expected that Deimos will eventually drift far enough to escape Mars’s gravity altogether.

Image From: NASA - https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/imgcat/html/object_page/vo2_423b63.html

Composition

Deimos has a thick regolith layer, potentially up to 328 feet (100 meters) deep, created by meteorite impacts that have pulverized its surface over time. This dark moon is composed primarily of C-type material, similar to the composition of asteroids in the outer asteroid belt.