Solar eclipses on Mars present a unique spectacle compared to those on Earth, as Mars’ irregularly shaped moons, Phobos and Deimos, create unusual eclipse patterns. Recently, NASA’s Perseverance rover captured footage of such an event on September 30, showcasing Phobos, the larger of Mars’ moons, as it passed in front of the sun, momentarily turning it into what NASA described as a “googly eye.” This experience is a stark contrast to Earth’s cleaner eclipses, where the moon takes a circular chunk from the sun’s view.
Phobos, shaped like a potato and only 17 miles across, casts its shadow on Mars much like a solar eclipse on Earth. However, due to its fast orbit of approximately 7.6 hours, the transit lasts merely 30 seconds. While these transits occur regularly, catching one on video is a special achievement for the Perseverance rover, which used its Mastcam-Z instrument to record the event.
The rover, stationed on Mars since 2021, has observed Phobos transits before, but this one’s quirky nature made it particularly intriguing. Beyond providing entertainment, studying Phobos’ transits aids scientists in monitoring the moon’s orbital changes, as Phobos is gradually getting closer to Mars. This slow encroachment may lead to a future collision or disintegration in about 50 million years.
NASA timed the release of the video strategically for Halloween, aligning with the eerie nature of the eclipse and the naming of Mars’ moons after Greek gods associated with fear—Phobos and his twin brother, Deimos. This event not only highlights the scientific interest in tracking Phobos but also offers a whimsical nod to the spooky season.
Original Story https://www.cnet.com/science/space/nasa-mars-rover-captures-goofy-googly-eye-solar-eclipse/
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Publish Date: 2024-11-01 01:40:00
