Origin of the grooves on PHOBOS
Abstract
The age, surface density, and association with the 10-km crater Stickney of the grooves (long linear depression) on Phobos are investigated, and the results support the cratering hypothesis of groove formation and seem to rule out a tidal mechanism. The appearance of the grooves is described. The age of the grooves is estimated from the density of superimposed impact craters; the density of impact craters within the grooves is compared with the average value for all of Phobos. The old age of the grooves as well as their evident association with the crater Stickney are considered to be inconsistent with the tidal hypothesis.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- May 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1038/273282a0
- Bibcode:
- 1978Natur.273..282T
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Craters;
- Grooves;
- Phobos;
- Chronology;
- Deimos;
- Density (Mass/Volume);
- Geomorphology;
- Mariner 9 Space Probe;
- Planetary Surfaces;
- Viking Orbiter Spacecraft;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Satellites of Mars;
- PHOBOS;
- MARS;
- SATELLITES;
- SURFACE;
- GROOVES;
- STICKNEY CRATER;
- MORPHOLOGY;
- FORMATION OF;
- ASTRONOMICAL MODELS;
- CRATERS;
- GROOVES;
- PHOBOS;
- CHRONOLOGY;
- DEIMOS;
- DENSITY (MASS/VOLUME);
- GEOMORPHOLOGY;
- MARINER 9 SPACE PROBE;
- PLANETARY SURFACES;
- VIKING ORBITER SPACECRAFT;
- PHOBOS;
- MARS;
- SATELLITES;
- SURFACE;
- GROOVES;
- STICKNEY CRATER;
- MORPHOLOGY;
- FORMATION OF