Mars's Moon - Phobos

P hobos (fear) is a moon of Mars and was named after an attendant of the Roman war god Mars. It was discovered by Asaph Hall in 1877. Phobos is a dark body that appears to be composed of C-type surface materials. It is similar to the C-type (blackish carbonaceous chondrite) asteroids that exist in the outer asteroid belt. Some scientists speculate that Phobos and Mars' other moon, Deimos, are captured asteroids. However, other scientists point to evidence that contradicts this theory. Phobos shows striated patterns which are probably cracks caused by the impact event of the largest crater on the moon.

PHYSICAL DATA FOR PHOBOS
 Mass (kg) 1.08e + 16
 Mass (Earth = 1) 1.8072e - 09
 Radius (km) 13.5 x 10.8 x 9.4
 Radius (Earth = 1) 2.1167e - 03
 Mean Density (g/cm3) 2.0
 Mean Distance from Jupiter (km) 9,380
 Magnitude (V0) 11.3


ORBITAL DATA FOR PHOBOS
 Rotational period (days) 0.31910
 Orbital period (days) 0.31910
 Mean orbital velocity (km/s) 2.14
 Orbital eccentricity 0.001
 Orbital inclination (degrees) 1.0
 Escape (km/s) 0.0103
 Albedo 0.06


Physical Data Key
 
Mass Mass
Mass Mass compared to that of Earth.
Radius Radius
Radius Radius compared to that of Earth.
Mean Density Average Density.
Distance Distance to the planet's center.
Magnitude The brightness of a star or object.
 
 
Orbital Data Key
 
Rotational Period Number of days to make one complete rotation.
Orbital Period Number of days to obital the planet.
Mean Orbital Velocity Average obital speed.
Orbital Eccentricity Eccentricity.
Orbital Inclination The tilt of the moon or planet.
Escape Escape Velocity.
Albedo Visual geometric albedo.

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