Back in 2013 Curiosity caught a solar eclipse courtesy of Mars' potato-shaped moon, Phobos.
Phobos is small compared to our moon.
Phobos Mean Radius: 7 miles
Our Moon's Mean Radius: 1,079 miles
Phobos Mean Radius: 7 miles
Our Moon's Mean Radius: 1,079 miles
It orbits much closer to the Martian surface than our moon, so its apparent magnitude it pretty large (vs. Deimos (L) and our Moon (R)).
Phobos is a little too close to Mars' surface for comfort.
Surface to our Moon: 238,900 mi
Surface to Phobos: 3,700 mi
That's lower than many commercial satellites, but it's a 13 mile wide red rock.
Surface to our Moon: 238,900 mi
Surface to Phobos: 3,700 mi
That's lower than many commercial satellites, but it's a 13 mile wide red rock.
Phobos moves very, very quickly across the Martian sky. It rises and sets twice each day.
Here's how fast Phobos looks in real time from the surface of Mars. (Smaller moon Deimos passes behind)
Here's how fast Phobos looks in real time from the surface of Mars. (Smaller moon Deimos passes behind)
