Mars’ two moons, Phobos and Deimos, have long been a mystery to scientists. For many years, researchers believed that these moons were asteroids captured by Mars’ gravity. However, a recent study suggests that this might not be the case.
A New Theory on Mars’ Moons’ Origins
A new paper published in The Planetary Science Journal challenges the long-standing idea that Mars’ moons are captured asteroids. Instead, the research proposes that the moons may have formed from a debris ring created by a large impact on Mars. This new theory suggests that the moons could have come together from a disk of material around the planet, rather than being pulled in from space.
Another possibility raised in the study is that Deimos and Phobos may have originated from the same disk of material that formed Mars itself over 4.6 billion years ago.
Phobos and Deimos: Their Unique Orbits
Phobos and Deimos have very different orbits around Mars. Deimos orbits at an average distance of about 23,463 kilometers, while Phobos orbits much closer, at just 9,376 kilometers. This close distance of Phobos has puzzled scientists for years, as it could mean that the moon is slowly getting closer to Mars.
Still Unanswered Questions About Phobos
The paper also raises questions about Phobos’ formation. It is unclear whether Phobos formed billions of years ago or much later in Mars’ history. According to Matija Cuk, the lead author of the study, Phobos could have formed at a much greater distance from Mars and later moved inward, or it could have been formed relatively recently at a closer distance.
A New Perspective on Mars’ Moons
The new research offers a fresh perspective on the origin of Mars‘ moons, challenging the idea that they were captured asteroids. While many questions remain about their exact formation, this study provides important clues that could change the way scientists understand the history of Mars and its moons.
