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Martian Moon Phobos in Detail

Posted by michael on from the ph3ar dept.

neutron_p writes "Today we can see the highest-resolution pictures so far of the Martian moon Phobos. These images show new detail that will keep planetary scientists busy for years, working to unravel the mysteries of this moon. The images show the Mars-facing side of the moon, taken by Mars Express from a distance of less than 200 kilometres with a resolution of about seven metres per pixel."

7 of 21 comments (clear)

  1. So what? by El · · Score: 2, Funny

    The images show the Mars-facing side of the moon, taken from a distance of less than 200 kilometres with a resolution of about seven metres per pixel during orbit 756. That's still not enough resolution to see if anybody is standing there waving as the probe goes by...

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

    1. Re:So what? by BLuP1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You're supposing that "anybody" is smaller than, say, 35mx35m... Phobos has pretty low gravity, a creature of that size wouldn't be too structurally difficult.

  2. Still not enough detail ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
    I can't see the Space Marine's base.

    Dammit, how am I supposed to visit the "Holy Ground" site of Doom 1 if the cameras can't pinpoint it?

    1. Re:Still not enough detail ... by XO · · Score: 2, Funny

      Someone get a good zoom in on that so we can get a good look at the infamous Leather Goddesses of Phobos. Please? :)

      --
      "Champagne for my real friends - and real pain for my sham friends!" http://ericblade.postalboard.com/
  3. Mo betta' pictures... by Muad'Dave · · Score: 4, Informative
    here.

    --
    Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
  4. I think... by Trikenstein · · Score: 4, Funny

    we should carve it to look like Benders head.
    Really give the greys something to wonder about.

  5. Rats! We'll never dodge Deep Impact now. by CodeWanker · · Score: 2, Funny

    This tiny moon is thought to be in a 'death spiral', slowly orbiting toward the surface of Mars. Here, Phobos was found to be about five kilometres ahead of its predicted orbital position. This could be an indication of an increased orbital speed associated with its secular acceleration, causing the moon to spiral in toward Mars.

    Eventually Phobos could be torn apart by Martian gravity and become a short-lived ring around Mars, or even impact on the surface. This orbit will be studied in more detail over the lifetime of the Mars Express.

    Well, crap. All my hopes pinned on a Mars colony letting the human race survive an asteroid impact and it's already got a a gun at its head and a bullet zipping down the barrel. Geologically speaking, of course.

    --


    "Wow. Now THAT'S a lot of angry Indians." - Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer