Science
Researchers study Stickney Crater to determine origin of Martian moon Phobos
ScienceDaily reports that findings on Phobos' interior and crater age could clarify whether it is a captured asteroid or planetary impact debris.
The short version
- Researchers are analyzing Stickney Crater on Phobos to help resolve whether the Martian moon was captured as an asteroid or created by a planetary collision.[ScienceDaily]
- The age of the crater impact is estimated at either 4.2 billion years ago under the collision model or 2.6 billion years ago under the capture hypothesis.[ScienceDaily]
- Japan's upcoming MMX mission aims to gather surface samples from Phobos and bring them back to Earth in 2031 to further investigate its structure.[ScienceDaily]
Key facts
- Phobos has a mean diameter of 22.2 km and orbits Mars every 7 hours and 39 minutes.[ScienceDaily]
- The Stickney Crater impact is estimated at 4.2 billion years old under the Mars impact hypothesis, versus 2.6 billion years old under the captured asteroid hypothesis.[ScienceDaily]
- Japan's MMX mission is scheduled to launch in late 2026 and return samples from Phobos by mid-2031.[ScienceDaily]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unresolved whether Phobos formed from Martian impact debris or was an asteroid captured by Mars gravity.[ScienceDaily]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- A giant crater may reveal the origin of Mars’ doomed moonScienceDaily - Science