Phobos is an Exceptionally Dark Object in the Solar System

[Phobos]

according to CNN anyway...
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/06/24/mars.moon.ap/index.html

funny, since Phobos is "one of the darkest objects in the solar system"!
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=9578

 

[Kerrie]

i never realized how tiny phobos was compared to mars!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Originally posted by Kerrie
i never realized how tiny phobos was compared to mars!

In principle, a person could run and jump off of this tiny moon. I think the escape velocity is about 3m/s.

 

[kleinma]

mmmm I just want to put some bacon and chedder cheese in that moon and eat it

 

[plus]

Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
In principle, a person could run and jump off of this tiny moon. I think the escape velocity is about 3m/s.

Unprotected you would die first. It would probably be easier to just jump straight.

 

[Creator]

Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
In principle, a person could run and jump off of this tiny moon. I think the escape velocity is about 3m/s.

Very interesting Ivan; however, the escape velocity of Phobos is about 11.5 m/sec, so you couldn't jump straight up. I can't run that fast but a good sprinter could and thus, running off an appropriately positioned cliff, he could launch himself into space. That's about 26 mph; so I could probably ride a bicycle into space;...well, at least I could throw baseballs into space.

It is quite amazing to realize that I could stand on a Martian moon and I could terrorize the Martian surface by pelting it with appropriately directed baseballs as often as I wish. It would be interesting to figure the enourmous increase in energy by which my feeble baseballs would decsimate the surface of Mars. (Assuming I could keep my baseballs from burning up in the Martian atmosphere). Or I could take a free ride on my bicycle in in a chosen direction such that I will end up on the surface of Mars (with quite an impact I might add)!

It makes me think that Phobos may one day be a very stategic place if Mars ever becomes inhabited.
Just a thought.

Creator

P.S. Thanks Phobos for the appetizing images.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Originally posted by Creator
Very interesting Ivan; however, the escape velocity of Phobos is about 11.5 m/sec,

How about Deimos? I remember 3m/s for something. Still, what a concept eh?

 

[Phobos]

More on this utterly fascinating little world...
http://www.seds.org/billa/tnp/phobos.html


Kerrie - - yep, likely just a captured asteroid

Creator - - (re: biking to Mars) Just use airbags like NASA does!

 

[drag]

Any gold there ?!

 

[Creator]

Originally posted by Phobos

Creator - - (re: biking to Mars) Just use airbags like NASA does! [/B]

He, He; good point; maybe I'll give it a try.