Phobos, The 'Doomed' Moon, Is Going To Crash Into Mars

Summary

NASA's Perseverance Rover captured an eclipse from the surface of Mars of Phobos, one of Mars' two moons that is destined to one day crash into the planet. The moon is estimated to either crash into Mars in 50 million years, or break up into a ring. Meanwhile, Earth's Moon is drifting away from us at a rate of 3.78 cm/year, meaning the total solar eclipse will eventually no longer be visible from our perspective. The Sun and the Moon look similar in size in the sky due to the Sun being much larger and further away than the Moon. However, 4 million years ago the Moon would have appeared much larger in the sky. In the future, the Sun will become a Red Giant and engulf the Earth before the Moon is too far away.

Q&As

AI Comments

👍 This article provides an interesting look into the history of the Moon and how it is influenced by the Sun and Earth. It is amazing to consider the fact that our Moon is slowly drifting away and that in a few million years it will no longer be able to block out the sun.

👎 This article is too long and contains too much detail for readers to follow. It is difficult to make sense of the timeline and the science behind what is happening to the Moon and Sun.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about Phobos, the 'doomed' moon that's going to crash into Mars. It's a fascinating read because it talks about how the moon is getting closer to the planet, and eventually it will break up into a ring or crash into Mars. It also talks about how our own Moon is moving away from us at a rate of 1.5 inches per year.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. It's kind of scary to think that our Moon is drifting away from us, and that one day it won't be able to cover the Sun for a total solar eclipse. It also makes me think about the long-term implications of Phobos crashing into Mars. What would that mean for the planet?

Me: Right, it's definitely concerning. NASA believes that it will break up into a ring or crash into Mars in 50 million years, and that would have a huge impact on the planet's environment. It could cause massive destruction and disrupt the orbit of other planets in the solar system. Plus, if the Moon continues to drift away from us, it'll be a long time before we can experience a total solar eclipse again.

Action items

• Research the current rate of the Moon's drift away from Earth and the implications for future generations.
• Learn more about the Sun's evolution into a Red Giant and the potential effects on Earth.
• Follow the progress of NASA's Perseverance Rover and other space exploration missions to gain a better understanding of the universe.

Technical terms

Phobos

The closest of Mars' two moons, Phobos is set to crash into the planet in 50 million years or break up into a ring.

Perseverance Rover

A NASA spacecraft that captured a view of Phobos eclipsing the Sun from the surface of Mars.

Eclipse

When one celestial body passes in front of another, blocking its light from reaching the observer.

Martian microbes

Microscopic organisms that may exist on the surface of Mars.

Red Giant

A large, cool star that is in the later stages of its life cycle.

Total Solar Eclipse

When the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking out the Sun's light.

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