Previously, scientists believed that Phobos and Deimos are asteroids.
Geophysics from Belgium, France and Japan explained the origin of a couple of moons of Mars — Phobos and Deimos. Devoted to a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
As shown by scientists, Phobos and Deimos were formed with many other moons in the result of collision of the parent celestial body with Mars. After the events that occurred in ancient times, to the present time there are only two moons. Geophysics conducted a computer simulation of the collision of the parent body, Mars. The work of scientists has led to the following conclusions.
Clash of the parent body Mars formed in orbit of the planet the ring of splinters. The outer edge of it was less dense than the inner. Closer to Mars formed large and dense satellite, which then fell to the planet’s surface. On the outer edge of the ring appeared less dense Phobos and Deimos, who were outraged by the matter in the inner ring, finally formed today’s configuration. In the future, as shown by scientists, Mars will remain one satellite (Deimos), Phobos, has an unstable orbit, approaching the planet and will eventually fall for her.
The main feature of the conducted study, the researchers note that they found a third, alternative mechanism of formation of system of planet-satellite. In the case of Mars blackout moon arose inside the Roche limit, which led to its fall to the planet.
Previously, scientists believed that Phobos and Deimos are asteroids captured by the gravitational field of Mars. Later became popular hypothesis associated with the shock origin of these celestial bodies. the Work of scientists could explain why to date, Mars has two satellites.
