Andrea LuckDec 21

1/n 🧵

2 NEW epic images of Phobos over Mars just released by ESA Mars Express

This view is especially striking, with Phobos between the Tharsis volcanoes and Noctis Labyrinthus–Valles Marineris

Full resolution 300MP(!) & info on: https://flic.kr/p/2rMW4so
Credit: ESA/DLR/FUBerlin/AndreaLuck CC BY

#Mars #Space #Astronomy #Phobos #ESA #Astrodon #Solarocks

Show threadAndrea Luck

2/n 🧵

This second image is quite unusual. The Mars Express viewing angle makes it look like Phobos is passing over Kasei Valles, but that region is actually farther north than Phobos’s orbit.

Full size image 6K (much bigger than this): https://flic.kr/p/2rMVSWh
Credit: ESA/DLR/FUBerlin/AndreaLuck CC BY

#Mars #Space #Astronomy #Phobos #ESA #Astrodon #Solarocks

Dec 21 at 2:29pmWeb
Show threadThomas SturmDec 21
@andrealuck It also makes Phobos look uncomfortably close to the Martian surface. 😳
Show threadAndrea LuckDec 21
@tsturm yeah let’s smash it for good
Show threadfraggleDec 21
@tsturm @andrealuck fun fact according to wikipedia, phobos orbits closer to mars than any other known natural satellite does to a planet
Show threadAndrea LuckDec 21
@fraggle @tsturm Although for me there are only worlds of many sizes out there… so take Dimorphos, the satellite of the asteroid Didymos, which orbits at about 1.2 km from it hahaha :)
Show threadaprilfolliesDec 21
@fraggle @tsturm @andrealuck Another fun fact: Phobos is dooomed because of that. It’s close enough to feel significant tidal forces from Mars. These cause its orbit to decay, which increases the tidal forces, etc. in some tens of millions of years, Phobos will be pulled apart into chunks by these forces, and Mars will have a ring! I joke that the name Phobos is appropriate - it has reason to be afraid!
Show threadAndrea LuckDec 21
@aprilfollies @fraggle @tsturm we’ll probably fix that :)