Moons Mars












mars has 2 relatively small natural moons, phobos (about 22 km (14 mi) in diameter) , deimos (about 12 km (7.5 mi) in diameter), orbit close planet. asteroid capture long-favored theory, origin remains uncertain. both satellites discovered in 1877 asaph hall; named after characters phobos (panic/fear) , deimos (terror/dread), who, in greek mythology, accompanied father ares, god of war, battle. mars roman counterpart of ares. in modern greek, though, planet retains ancient name ares (aris: Άρης).


from surface of mars, motions of phobos , deimos appear different of moon. phobos rises in west, sets in east, , rises again in 11 hours. deimos, being outside synchronous orbit – orbital period match planet s period of rotation – rises expected in east slowly. despite 30-hour orbit of deimos, 2.7 days elapse between rise , set equatorial observer, falls behind rotation of mars.





because orbit of phobos below synchronous altitude, tidal forces planet mars gradually lowering orbit. in 50 million years, either crash mars s surface or break ring structure around planet.


the origin of 2 moons not understood. low albedo , carbonaceous chondrite composition have been regarded similar asteroids, supporting capture theory. unstable orbit of phobos seem point towards relatively recent capture. both have circular orbits, near equator, unusual captured objects , required capture dynamics complex. accretion in history of mars plausible, not account composition resembling asteroids rather mars itself, if confirmed.


a third possibility involvement of third body or type of impact disruption. more-recent lines of evidence phobos having highly porous interior, , suggesting composition containing phyllosilicates , other minerals known mars, point toward origin of phobos material ejected impact on mars reaccreted in martian orbit, similar prevailing theory origin of earth s moon. although vnir spectra of moons of mars resemble of outer-belt asteroids, thermal infrared spectra of phobos reported inconsistent chondrites of class.


mars may have moons smaller 50 100 metres (160 330 ft) in diameter, , dust ring predicted exist between phobos , deimos.








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