Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons, is quite the speedster in the solar system. With its unique size, angle, and orbital pattern, Phobos completes a full orbit around Mars approximately every 7.6 hours. This rapid pace increases the likelihood of Phobos passing in front of the Sun, creating a solar eclipse phenomenon unlike anything seen on Earth. If you were positioned in the right location on Mars at the right time, you could witness Phobos briefly transforming the Sun into a giant googly eye. NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover had the incredible opportunity to capture such an event back in February, and remarkably, it managed to photograph another eclipse just seven months later.
The latest Phobos eclipse was documented by NASA on September 30th, as observed from the Mars Perseverance rover stationed in Jezero Crater. Lasting a mere 30 seconds, this eclipse showcased the whimsical transformation of the Sun into a googly eye once again. The footage was captured using Perseverance’s Mastcam-Z, an instrument developed in collaboration with Arizona State University.
Discovered by astronomer Asaph Hall in 1877, Phobos and its companion Deimos were named after the twin Greek gods of fear and dread. The origins of these Martian moons remain a mystery, with theories suggesting they may have been captured asteroids or remnants from the early formation of the Solar System.
Despite its small size, measuring only 17 miles in diameter, Phobos is significantly smaller than Earth’s moon. Interestingly, while Earth’s moon is slowly moving away from our planet, Phobos and Deimos are gradually being drawn closer to Mars at a rate of approximately six feet per century. Scientists predict that in around 50 million years, the moons may either collide with Mars or break apart into a ring similar to Saturn’s.
For now, there will be many more opportunities for Perseverance and potentially future human explorers to witness the captivating phenomena of Phobos eclipses on Mars. These events serve as a reminder of the wonders and mysteries that await us in the vast reaches of our solar system.
