Andert, Thomas P.; Rosenblatt, Pascal; Pätzold, Martin; Häusler, Bernd; Dehant, Veronique; Tyler, G. Leonard; Marty, Jean Charles
Document type:
Zeitschriftenartikel / Journal Article
Title:
Precise mass determination and the nature of Phobos
Journal:
Geophysical Research Letters (GRL)
Volume:
9
Issue:
37
Year:
2010
Language:
Englisch
Keywords:
Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Martian satellites, Planetary Sciences: Comets and Small Bodies: Gravitational fields (1221), Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Gravitational fields (1221), Phobos, GM
Abstract:
We report independent results from two subgroups of the Mars Express Radio Science (MaRS) team who independently analyzed Mars Express (MEX) radio tracking data for the purpose of determining consistently the gravitational attraction of the moon Phobos on the MEX spacecraft, and hence the mass of Phobos. New
values for the gravitational parameter (GM = 0.7127 ±
0.0021 × 10−3 km 3 /s 2 ) and density of Phobos (1876 ±
20 kg/m 3 ) provide meaningful new constraints on the
corresponding range of the body’s porosity (30% ± 5%),
provide a basis for improved interpretation of the internal
structure. We conclude that the interior of Phobos likely
contains large voids. When applied to various hypotheses
bearing on the origin of Phobos, these results are
inconsistent with the proposition that Phobos is a captured
asteroid. «
We report independent results from two subgroups of the Mars Express Radio Science (MaRS) team who independently analyzed Mars Express (MEX) radio tracking data for the purpose of determining consistently the gravitational attraction of the moon Phobos on the MEX spacecraft, and hence the mass of Phobos. New
values for the gravitational parameter (GM = 0.7127 ±
0.0021 × 10−3 km 3 /s 2 ) and density of Phobos (1876 ±
20 kg/m 3 ) provide meaningful new constraints on the
corresponding rang... »