<p>Mars has some unique characteristics, and one of the most peculiar features is its odd shape. Unlike other planets in the solar system, it has a triaxial shape, which means it is of a different size along three axes. Now an astronomer has tried to explain why this is so. He has hypothesised that Mars is missing a moon it once likely had.</p>

<p>Michael Efroimsky talks about the theory in a paper published on the arXiv preprint server.</p>

<p>Mars also hosts some impressive geographical features, such as the tallest mountains in the solar system and the biggest canyon. The Tharsis bulge, situated near the planet's equator, is another thing that has stumped scientists. It is a unique highland that bulges oddly out of the surface. The Tharsis bulge is approximately 5,000 kilometres across, but its origin is not known.</p>

<p>Efroimsky, in his paper, suggests that all of these strange features Mars has are most likely because of a long lost moon. He has named this moon Nerio.</p>

<p>Nerio he says must have exerted an enormous pull on the red planet's surface. This is considering even if it was a third the size of our moon. Since during the early days the surface was still soft, Nerio probably pulled up material due to a synchronous orbit. Years later as it cooled down, the material that was pulled up also settled in the same place, creating a permanent bulge.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/cosmic-giant-300-light-years-away-in-great-bear-is-11-times-more-massive-than-jupiter-759348">Cosmic giant 300 light-years away in Great Bear is 11 times more massive than Jupiter</a></p>

<p>The bulge created equatorial ellipticity, and so the planet has a triaxial shape. Efroimsky also blames the same occurrence for the birth of volcanoes on Mars, making it extremely prone to volcanic activity, and thus the development of highlands on the opposite side of the Tharsis bulge.</p>

<h2>So, what happened to Nerio?</h2>

<p>If the entire theory is true, then where is Nerio? Talking about what happened to Nerio, Efroimsky suggests that Mars's current two moons - Phobos and Deimos - &nbsp;might have been the remnants of the long-lost moon. He says it might have been hit and destroyed by another large body, leaving behind the two moons.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another likely scenario might have been that it simply wandered away and left the solar system, mostly because of the pull of some other body.&nbsp;</p>


Mars has some unique characteristics, and one of the most peculiar features is its odd shape. Unlike other planets in the solar system, it has a triaxial shape, which means it is of a different size along three axes.

Mars has some unique characteristics, and one of the most peculiar features is its odd shape. Unlike other planets in the solar system, it has a triaxial shape, which means it is of a different size along three axes. Now an astronomer has tried to explain why this is so. He has hypothesised that Mars is missing a moon it once likely had. Michael Efroimsky talks about the theory in a paper published on the arXiv preprint server. Mars also hosts some impressive geographical features, such as the tallest mountains in the solar system and the biggest canyon. The Tharsis bulge, situated near the planet's equator, is another thing that has stumped scientists. It is a unique highland that bulges oddly out of the surface. The Tharsis bulge is approximately 5,000 kilometres across, but its origin is not known. Efroimsky, in his paper, suggests that all of these strange features Mars has are most likely because of a long lost moon. He has named this moon Nerio. Nerio he says must have exerted an enormous pull on the red planet's surface. This is considering even if it was a third the size of our moon. Since during the early days the surface was still soft, Nerio probably pulled up material due to a synchronous orbit. Years later as it cooled down, the material that was pulled up also settled in the same place, creating a permanent bulge. Also Read: Cosmic giant 300 light-years away in Great Bear is 11 times more massive than Jupiter The bulge created equatorial ellipticity, and so the planet has a triaxial shape. Efroimsky also blames the same occurrence for the birth of volcanoes on Mars, making it extremely prone to volcanic activity, and thus the development of highlands on the opposite side of the Tharsis bulge. So, what happened to Nerio? If the entire theory is true, then where is Nerio? Talking about what happened to Nerio, Efroimsky suggests that Mars's current two moons - Phobos and Deimos - might have been the remnants of the long-lost moon. He says it might have been hit and destroyed by another large body, leaving behind the two moons. Another likely scenario might have been that it simply wandered away and left the solar system, mostly because of the pull of some other body.

Is Mars missing a moon? Astronomer says Nerio might have created a strange bulge

<p>While analysing some old unpublished images of Mars'&nbsp;moon Phobos, researchers found something peculiar that might prove our previous understanding of the moon wrong.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Phobos, also known as the "doomed moon", is a little different than other moons of the solar system. It is much smaller than its host planet and is covered in craters with surprisingly low density. Another such moon of Mars is Deimos. Both Phobos and Deimos have similar characteristics and are very irregular in shape.</p>

<p>The close-up images of these distinct moons show Phobos has 1-kilometre (0.6-mile) long grooves running across its surface, which is unusual for a moon. The images also show Phobos&nbsp;covered in loose&nbsp;regolith (rock and dust).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-from-china-and-ukraine-team-up-on-asteroid-defense-726127">Astronomers from China and Ukraine team up on asteroid defense</a></p>

<p>There are some theories related to the formation of these moons, though none explain their unusual characteristics completely. According to one idea, the moons were created when a large object collided with Mars, creating a debris disk around Mars that slowly coalesced into the objects. Another suggests that the Moons are captured D-type asteroids, usually found in the outer asteroid belt, or with&nbsp;Jupiter's trojan asteroids.</p>

<p>The latter asteroid theory might explain their apparent composition, but it falls short of explaining their&nbsp;almost circular orbit. Meanwhile, the debris disk hypothesis might explain the circular&nbsp;orbit but doesn't do well for the moons' composition.</p>

<h2><strong>Researchers find peculiar properties on Phobos that are similar to a comet&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>A team of researchers from France and Germany came across previously unpublished photos of Phobos taken by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft and found the moon does not reflect light uniformly, but appears brighter when the Sun is directly overhead, something which is seen in comets.</p>

<p>"Overall, our photometric analysis has shown that Phobos photometric properties show a close resemblance to those of comet 67P: both have a red spectrum, a high surface porosity, and similar opposition effect values," the team wrote in their study, adding that the moon could be a bilobated comet (i.e. comets with two distinct lobes) or a binary comet (composed of two bodies that have come together through gravitation).</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/heres-how-nasa-is-planning-to-reach-mars-from-earth-in-months-726183">Here's how NASA is planning to reach Mars from Earth in months</a></p>

<p>When the team compared the phase integral and geometric albedo of Phobos with other dark Solar System bodies, it showed that Phobos has photometric properties similar to those of Jupiter family comets.</p>

<p>This is a unique hypothesis as thus far we have not discovered any&nbsp;comet moons, making Phobos a potential first.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The upcoming Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, launching in 2026, aims to return samples of Phobos to Earth after three years of observations. With its sample, the hypothesis can be proved true.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


While analysing some old unpublished images of Mars' moon Phobos, researchers found something peculiar that might prove our previous understanding of the moon wrong.

While analysing some old unpublished images of Mars' moon Phobos, researchers found something peculiar that might prove our previous understanding of the moon wrong. Phobos, also known as the "doomed moon", is a little different than other moons of the solar system. It is much smaller than its host planet and is covered in craters with surprisingly low density. Another such moon of Mars is Deimos. Both Phobos and Deimos have similar characteristics and are very irregular in shape. The close-up images of these distinct moons show Phobos has 1-kilometre (0.6-mile) long grooves running across its surface, which is unusual for a moon. The images also show Phobos covered in loose regolith (rock and dust). Also Read | Astronomers from China and Ukraine team up on asteroid defense There are some theories related to the formation of these moons, though none explain their unusual characteristics completely. According to one idea, the moons were created when a large object collided with Mars, creating a debris disk around Mars that slowly coalesced into the objects. Another suggests that the Moons are captured D-type asteroids, usually found in the outer asteroid belt, or with Jupiter's trojan asteroids. The latter asteroid theory might explain their apparent composition, but it falls short of explaining their almost circular orbit. Meanwhile, the debris disk hypothesis might explain the circular orbit but doesn't do well for the moons' composition. Researchers find peculiar properties on Phobos that are similar to a comet A team of researchers from France and Germany came across previously unpublished photos of Phobos taken by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft and found the moon does not reflect light uniformly, but appears brighter when the Sun is directly overhead, something which is seen in comets. "Overall, our photometric analysis has shown that Phobos photometric properties show a close resemblance to those of comet 67P: both have a red spectrum, a high surface porosity, and similar opposition effect values," the team wrote in their study, adding that the moon could be a bilobated comet (i.e. comets with two distinct lobes) or a binary comet (composed of two bodies that have come together through gravitation). Also Read | Here's how NASA is planning to reach Mars from Earth in months When the team compared the phase integral and geometric albedo of Phobos with other dark Solar System bodies, it showed that Phobos has photometric properties similar to those of Jupiter family comets. This is a unique hypothesis as thus far we have not discovered any comet moons, making Phobos a potential first. The upcoming Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, launching in 2026, aims to return samples of Phobos to Earth after three years of observations. With its sample, the hypothesis can be proved true. (With inputs from agencies)

Is Phobos a comet moon? Scientists notice peculiar details on Mars' moon

<p>NASA's official Instagram account published a photo of Mars Moon 'Phobos,' which resembles a potato.</p>

<p>"This is an image of Phobos, the largest of Mars' two raggedy moons, as seen by our Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft's @UAHiRISE camera," NASA stated.</p>

<p>"Scientists have calculated that tiny Phobos is nearing Mars at a rate of 1.8 meters (6 feet) every century, meaning it will either crash into the planet in 50 million years or break up into a ring of debris," NASA posted on the Instagram.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The photograph was obtained from a height of 6,800 kilometres (4,225 miles).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The innermost and bigger of Mars' two natural satellites, Phobos is larger than Deimos.</p>

<p>Asaph Hall, an American astronomer, discovered both moons in 1877.</p>

<p>Phobos is named after the Greek god Phobos, who is the twin brother of Deimos and the son of Ares (Mars) and Aphrodite (Venus).</p>

<p>Phobos was a god who represented terror and panic (cf. phobia).&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's official Instagram account published a photo of Mars Moon 'Phobos,' which resembles a potato. "This is an image of Phobos, the largest of Mars' two raggedy moons, as seen by our Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft's @UAHiRISE camera," NASA stated.

NASA's official Instagram account published a photo of Mars Moon 'Phobos,' which resembles a potato. "This is an image of Phobos, the largest of Mars' two raggedy moons, as seen by our Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft's @UAHiRISE camera," NASA stated. "Scientists have calculated that tiny Phobos is nearing Mars at a rate of 1.8 meters (6 feet) every century, meaning it will either crash into the planet in 50 million years or break up into a ring of debris," NASA posted on the Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × The photograph was obtained from a height of 6,800 kilometres (4,225 miles). The innermost and bigger of Mars' two natural satellites, Phobos is larger than Deimos. Asaph Hall, an American astronomer, discovered both moons in 1877. Phobos is named after the Greek god Phobos, who is the twin brother of Deimos and the son of Ares (Mars) and Aphrodite (Venus). Phobos was a god who represented terror and panic (cf. phobia). (With inputs from agencies)

Mars' moon or potato? NASA shares image of ‘Phobos’, the largest of Mars' two raggedy moons

<p>A NASA science satellite orbiting Mars was forced to make a rare evasive manoeuvre to avoid a collision next week with one of the planet&#39;s two small moons, the US&nbsp;space agency said on Thursday.</p>

<p>Flight controllers at NASA&#39;s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, commanded the MAVEN spacecraft, which is studying Mars&#39; vanishing atmosphere, to fire up its engine on Tuesday to boost its speed by about 1.3 feet per second (0.4 metres per second).</p>

<p>The acceleration was necessary to slightly shift MAVEN&#39;s orbit and steer the satellite clear of the Martian moon Phobos, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said in a statement.</p>

<p>Without the tweak, MAVEN and the small, lumpy moon would have reached the same point in space within seven seconds of one another next Monday, March 6. In its new orbit, MAVEN will miss Phobos by about two and a hald minutes, NASA said.</p>

<p>MAVEN is in an egg-shaped orbit that regularly crosses the paths of other science satellites and of Phobos, which circles just 6,000 miles (9,656 kilometres) above the Martian surface, closer than any other known moon to a planet in the solar system. At that distance, Phobos whips around Mars three times a day.</p>

<p>Flight controllers regularly monitor MAVEN&#39;s path for potential collisions. Tuesday&#39;s evasive action was the first time MAVEN had to dodge the potato-shaped Phobos, which measures about 10 by 14 miles by 11 miles (16 by 22.5 by 18 kilometres).</p>

<p>MAVEN, short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, reached the red planet in September 2014.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


Boosting the satellite's speed by 1.3 metres a second was needed to slightly shift MAVEN's orbit, and steer clear of the Martian moon Phobos

A NASA science satellite orbiting Mars was forced to make a rare evasive manoeuvre to avoid a collision next week with one of the planet's two small moons, the US space agency said on Thursday. Flight controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, commanded the MAVEN spacecraft, which is studying Mars' vanishing atmosphere, to fire up its engine on Tuesday to boost its speed by about 1.3 feet per second (0.4 metres per second). The acceleration was necessary to slightly shift MAVEN's orbit and steer the satellite clear of the Martian moon Phobos, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said in a statement. Without the tweak, MAVEN and the small, lumpy moon would have reached the same point in space within seven seconds of one another next Monday, March 6. In its new orbit, MAVEN will miss Phobos by about two and a hald minutes, NASA said. MAVEN is in an egg-shaped orbit that regularly crosses the paths of other science satellites and of Phobos, which circles just 6,000 miles (9,656 kilometres) above the Martian surface, closer than any other known moon to a planet in the solar system. At that distance, Phobos whips around Mars three times a day. Flight controllers regularly monitor MAVEN's path for potential collisions. Tuesday's evasive action was the first time MAVEN had to dodge the potato-shaped Phobos, which measures about 10 by 14 miles by 11 miles (16 by 22.5 by 18 kilometres). MAVEN, short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, reached the red planet in September 2014. (Reuters)

NASA satellite orbiting Mars dodges planet's moon with rare evasive manoeuvre

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Is Mars missing a moon? Astronomer says Nerio might have created a strange bulge

Is Phobos a comet moon? Scientists notice peculiar details on Mars' moon

Mars' moon or potato? NASA shares image of ‘Phobos’, the largest of Mars' two raggedy moons

NASA satellite orbiting Mars dodges planet's moon with rare evasive manoeuvre