Discovering Mars and its Moons

Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, named after the Roman God of War, is a staple of fascination in the field of astronomy.

The Moons of Mars: An Overview

Mars has two moons, identified as Phobos and Deimos, discovered by American Astronomer, Asaph Hall, in 1877. These moons are named after the Greek mythological characters, sons of Ares and Aphrodite. While Phobos means fear, Deimos symbolizes terror or dread, accurately illustrating these moons’ alien nature.

Phobos: The Larger Moon

Phobos orbits closer to its planet compared to any other moon in the solar system and is gradually spiraling towards Mars. It’s predicted to either crash into the Red Planet or transform into a ring system in approximately 50 million years.

Deimos: The Smaller Moon

Deimos, comparative to Phobos, is the smaller one. It portrays less pronounced craters and smoother surface, indicating a partial covering by dust.

What Makes Mars’ Moons Unique?

Mars’ moons do not fairly resemble our Moon or the massive moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn. Phobos and Deimos are diminutive, irregularly shaped, more akin to asteroids than actual moons. Their rough, cratered surfaces are covered in a layer of fine dust, giving them a somewhat dramatic appearance.

Their Asteroidal Resemblances

There is a high speculation among scientists that these moons might have commenced as asteroids. Captured by Mars’ gravitational pull, they could have been roped into orbiting the planet.

The Orbital Dance of the Moons

Interestingly, Mars’ moons display a fascinating celestial behavior. Phobos, due to its proximity, takes a mere 7.6 hours to orbit Mars while Deimos, being farther out, takes about 30.3 hours, somewhat slower than Mars’ 24.7-hour-long day.

Mars and its Future Moons?

It has been hypothesized that Mars might acquire more moons in the future. The planet’s shallow gravity allows asteroids to be captured and later released, suggesting a likelihood of temporary moons.

Phobos: Mars’ Future Ring?

Due to the progressive decline in Phobos’ orbit, it’s fascinating to imagine geography of Mars’ sky changing over tens of millions of years.

As Phobos descends, it would seem larger each Martian night until it breaks apart, forming a temporary planetary ring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How were Mars’ moons discovered?
  • American astronomer Asaph Hall discovered the moons in 1877.
• What do the names of the moons mean?
  • Phobos signifies ‘fear’, while Deimos represents ‘terror’ or ‘dread’.
• How long does it take Mars’ moons to orbit Mars?
  • Phobos takes about 7.6 hours, whereas Deimos takes around 30.3 hours.

Final Tip: If you’re keen on observing these Martian moons, put on your astronomer hat, ready your telescope, and step into the captivating realm of our universe. Just remember, the best time to see Mars is during its opposition, but spotting its tiny moons requires a larger telescope and perfect viewing conditions.

Article updated at Tuesday, October 8, 2024