Mariner 9 television observations of Phobos and Deimos

Icarus
By: , and 

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Abstract

Mariner 9 photographs of Phobos and Deimos have yielded new information about the orbits, rotation periods, sizes, shapes, and surface characteristics of the satellites. Both satellites appear to be in synchronous rotation. They are irregular, heavily cratered bodies whose shapes appear to have been determined largely by impact fragmentation and spalling. The surfaces of both satellites have crater densities close to saturation and nearly identical, very low albedos. Lower limits on the tensile and yield strengths are estimated, and it is concluded that both satellites may consist of well-consolidated, though possibly highly fractured material. 

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Mariner 9 television observations of Phobos and Deimos
Series title Icarus
DOI 10.1016/0019-1035(72)90007-3
Volume 17
Issue 2
Year Published 1972
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 14 p.
First page 394
Last page 407
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