Science News Hubb
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
Science News Hubb
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News

This is our 1st detailed look at Mars’ most mysterious moon Deimos (photos)

admin by admin
April 25, 2023
in Science News


Deimos, a moon of Mars, is seen in front of the red planet in a high-resolution image from the United Arab Emirates’ Emirates Mars Mission spacecraft. (Image credit: Emirates Mars Mission)

A moon of Mars showed off its pockmarked face in an unprecedented closeup view.

Deimos, one of the small moons of Mars, was imaged by the Hope Mars mission from as close as 60 miles (100 km), the closest look yet. The flashy new imagery was released Monday (April 24) as the community seeks to learn more about this intriguing small world.

“These images and observations represent a significant step forward in our knowledge of Deimos, its atmosphere, composition, origins, and what this means for our understanding of Mars more broadly,” the United Arab Emirates Space Agency said in a statement.

For example, the spacecraft’s observations of the composition of Deimos suggests the moon came from Mars itself, which is another step forward in resolving a long-standing debate about its origins.

Related: Were the Mars moons Phobos and Deimos born from another shattered moon?

How Deimos (and the other small Martian moon, Phobos) came to be have been mysteries since their discovery in 1877. Numerous spacecraft have imaged Deimos since NASA’s Mariner 9 satellite in 1971, but always from afar. From well beyond 60 miles (100 km), it has been hard to determine the moon’s composition. Phobos, though imaged from closer-up, has been similarly enigmatic.

Previous studies suggested the moons’ compositions could be similar to asteroids (space rocks) or dwarf planets, being made up of carbonaceous chondrites,  primitive meteorites are thought to be remnants of the original building blocks of planets. The moons are also potato-shaped and small, much like asteroids, suggesting Mars may have snatched them when they strayed too close to the Red Planet. 

But that theory is not a slam-dunk, as (for example) the orbit of Deimos is almost circular and the moon travels in a way that suggests it previously slowed against the atmosphere of Mars. Numerous formation theories have been put forward, such as it originating from Mars, from rubble or even from a collision of small bodies.

The new data from the Emirati mission was obtained from the Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer. It suggests that both Phobos and Mars are “more akin to a basaltic Mars, than a D-type asteroid such as the Taggish Lake meteorite that is often used as an analog for the spectral properties of Phobos and Deimos,” instrument scientist Christopher Edwards said in the same statement.

The spacecraft, also known as the Emirates Mars Mission, began flying by Deimos in late January during the commissioning phase. High-resolution images were obtained starting in March. The mission is expected to continue flying by Deimos periodically through 2023.

Elizabeth Howell is the co-author of “Why Am I Taller (opens in new tab)?” (ECW Press, 2022; with Canadian astronaut Dave Williams), a book about space medicine. Follow her on Twitter @howellspace (opens in new tab). Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) or Facebook (opens in new tab).





Source link

Previous Post

Jupiter’s Hot Youth May Have Melted Its Icy Moons

Next Post

JWST has spotted the most distant galaxy cluster ever seen

Next Post

JWST has spotted the most distant galaxy cluster ever seen

Recommended

Insights Abound Even at Journey’s End

January 1, 2023

Record-High Temperatures across Europe Ease Energy Crisis Imposed by Russia’s War

January 5, 2023

Don't miss it

Science News

These ants build tall nest hills to help show the way home

June 1, 2023
Science News

Junk food diet may disrupt sleep by altering brain activity

June 1, 2023
Science News

New technique could probe the heart of powerful solar storms

June 1, 2023
Technology

Climate Change Is Escalating California’s Wildfires

June 1, 2023
Technology

The Surprising Truth About the Skip in Your Step

June 1, 2023
Technology

Nanoplastic Ingestion Causes Neurological Deficits

June 1, 2023

© Science News Hubb All rights reserved.

Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

Newsletter Sign Up

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

© 2022 Science News Hubb All rights reserved.