Phobos (“FOH bus”) is the larger and innermost of Mars’ two moons. Phobos is closer to its primary than any other moon in the solar system, less than 6000 km above the surface of Mars. It is also one of the smallest moons in the solar system.

In Greek mythology, Phobos is one of the sons of Ares (Mars) and Aphrodite (Venus). “phobos” is Greek for “fear” (the root of “phobia”). Discovered 1877 August 12 by Hall; photographed by Mariner 9 in 1971, Viking 1 in 1977, and Phobos in 1988.

Phobos orbits Mars below the synchronous orbit radius. Thus it rises in the west, moves very rapidly across the sky and sets in the east, usually twice a day. It is so close to the surface that it cannot be seen above the horizon from all points on the surface of Mars.

And Phobos is doomed: because its orbit is below synchronous altitude tidal forces are lowering its orbit (current rate: about 1.8 meters per century). In about 50 million years it will either crash onto the surface of Mars or (more likely) break up into a ring. (This is the opposite effect to that operating to raise the orbit of the Moon.)

The Soviet spacecraft Phobos 2 detected a faint but steady outgassing from Phobos. Unfortunately, Phobos 2 died before it could determine the nature of the material; water is the best bet. Phobos 2 also returned a few images.

The most prominent feature on Phobos is the large crater named Stickney, the maiden name of Hall’s wife. Like Mimas’ crater Herschel (on a smaller scale) the impact that created Stickney must have almost shattered Phobos. The grooves and streaks on the surface were probably also caused by the Stickney impact.

Deimos (“DEE mos”) is the smaller and outermost of Mars’ two moons. It is the smallest known moon in the solar system.

In Greek mythology, Deimos is one of the sons of Ares (Mars) and Aphrodite (Venus); “deimos” is Greek for “panic”. Discovered 1877 August 10 by Hall, photographed by Viking 1 in 1977.

Phobos and Deimos may be composed of carbon-rich rock like C-type asteroids. But their densities are so low that they cannot be pure rock. They are more likely composed of a mixture of rock and ice. Both are heavily cratered.

Phobos and Deimos are widely believed to be captured asteroids. There is some speculation that they originated in the outer solar system rather than in the main asteroid belt.

Phobos and Deimos may someday be useful as “space stations” from which to study Mars or as intermediate stops to and from the Martian surface; especially if the presence of ice is confirmed.

QUICK FACTS: PHOBOS
Orbit from Mars: 9378 km
Diameter: 22.2 km (27 x 21.6 x 18.8)
Mass: 1.08e16 kg

QUICK FACTS: DEIMOS
Orbit from Mars: 23,459 km
Diameter: 12.6 km (15 x 12.2 x 11)
Mass: 1.8e15 kg