Publication Date:
2019-06-27
Description:
A hypothesis that the age and distribution of grooves on the surface of Phobos may be explained by a hybrid origin due to varying tidal stresses induced after a large impact altered the satellite's rotation rate is presented. The theory that these grooves are surface manifestations of internal fractures induced by the decay of Phobos orbit is ruled out because this mechanism would require the grooves to be extremely young features, but their implied age is greater than 10 to the 9th power yr. The location and relationship of grooves to the largest crater, Stickney, indicate that they are related to the Stickney impact, but were formed shortly after that event with orientations determined by the shape of Phobos. If the impact destroyed the condition of synchronous rotation, the changing orientation of Phobos in the gravitational field of Mars would subject its interior to stresses, producing the systems of grooves.
Keywords:
LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION
Type:
Nature; 282; Dec. 13
Format:
text
