Space
How the Red Planet acquired its two moons, Phobos and Deimos, is unknown – they could have formed after something collided with the planet, or started out as asteroids – but now there is a hint of a cometary origin
By Jonathan O’Callaghan
Mars has two irregularly shaped moons, an inner moon named Phobos and an outer moon named Deimos
NASA/JPL-Caltech/GSFC/Univ. of Arizona
The two moons of Mars may once have been a single comet that was ensnared and split by the planet – and an upcoming mission could find out for certain.
How Mars got its two moons, Phobos and Deimos, is a bit of a mystery. They are small, 27 and 15 kilometres across respectively, and both orbit around the planet’s equator. Astronomers have suggested that they may have formed after a collision on Mars’s…
View introductory offers
No commitment, cancel anytime*
Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.
*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.
Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)
or
Existing subscribers
Sign in to your account
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : New Scientist – https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424218-mars-may-have-captured-and-split-a-comet-to-create-its-two-moons/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home