The figure of Phobos
Abstract
A sixth degree and order spherical harmonic expansion was used to model the Phobos figure. This model appears to fit the entire surface to an accuracy of a few hundred meters, except in the region around the large crater Stickney. The model was validated using control points, limbs, terminators, map projections and predicted rotational properties. A for A forced libration amplitude of 0.81 ± 0.5 (1 σ) deg is predicted, matching the observed value of 0.79 deg which supports Phobos having a uniform density distribution to within the uncertainty of the prediction.
- Publication:
-
Icarus
- Pub Date:
- March 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0019-1035(89)90075-4
- Bibcode:
- 1989Icar...78..169D
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Geodesy;
- Phobos;
- Planetary Structure;
- Spherical Harmonics;
- Computational Astrophysics;
- Density Distribution;
- Gravitational Fields;
- Libration;
- Satellite Surfaces;
- Viking Spacecraft;
- MARS;
- SATELLITES;
- PHOBOS;
- MODELS;
- SURFACE;
- HARMONICS;
- DIAGRAMS;
- CALCULATIONS;
- TOPOGRAPHY;
- GRAVITY FIELDS;
- SPACECRAFT OBSERVATIONS;
- PHOTOGRAPHS;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Satellites of Mars