You are here

Mars' Moons

Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos. Phobos is the larger of the two. It is shaped like a potato, about 15 miles long by 10 miles wide. One end is scarred by a giant crater. The impact that created it may have fractured the entire moon, leaving big cracks that travel from one end to the other. Phobos is in such a low orbit that it circles Mars about three times per day. It rises in the west, then sets in the east just a few hours later. As seen from the equator it looks less than half as big as our Moon looks from Earth. Deimos is both smaller and farther out. It takes almost three days to complete one orbit. From the Martian surface, it looks about like Venus looks from Earth.

Resources

Mars' Moons February 19, 2016

Mars

Mars February 10, 2016

Radio Programs

Other Eclipses Eclipses around the solar system October 12, 2023

Mars Samples Pieces of Mars and one of its moons August 21, 2023

Moon and Mars Going for a ride on a Martian moon March 28, 2023

Moon and Mars A “shocking” moon of Mars May 13, 2020

Mars and Saturn Two planets “ring in” the dawn March 30, 2020

More Moon and Mars Building the moons of Mars June 30, 2018

Moon and Mars Making moons over and over again November 14, 2017

Featured Images

artist's concept of mmx spacecraft with mars moons in background

Sampling a Martian Moon August 21, 2023

Emirates Mars Mission view of Deimos in front of Mars

Family Portrait April 28, 2023

Artist's concept of astronauts on Phobos, a moon of Mars

Charged Moon May 13, 2020

Deimos and Saturn from Mars Express

Two for One March 3, 2018