|
You are here:
BBC >
Science & Nature >
Space >
Solar System >
Mars
|
|
Expert Q&A on Mars MOONS: Deimos
Phobos
|
|
DEIMOS
|
· Your travel guide to the Solar System ·
|
 |
|
|
|
DEFINITION
Deimos is one of the two moons orbiting the planet Mars
REASONS TO VISIT
- Visit the smallest moon in the Solar System - only 12.6km across
- Decide whether Deimos was originally an asteroid
|
|
|
|
WHAT TO SEE
Unlike Mars' other moon, Phobos, the surface of Deimos is smooth and mostly featureless. The largest crater is only 3km across.
But like Phobos, Deimos is also made out of a mixture of rock and ice.
SPOTTING DEIMOS FROM THE EARTH
Deimos can be seen from the Earth with a good telescope. It's easiest to spot when Mars is at its closest to the Earth.
|
LOCAL HISTORY
Phobos and Deimos were sons of the Greek god of war. In Greek, deimos means 'fear'.
The origin of Deimos and Phobos are a mystery. The most likely explanation is that they were once asteroids that have now been captured by Mars' gravitational field.
 Explore the asteroid belt
|
|
|
|
