Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos are in equatorial, near-circular orbits around Mars. They both orbit in...

Transcribed Image Text:

Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos are in equatorial, near-circular orbits around Mars. They both orbit in the direction of the planet's rotation. Phobos has an orbital period of 1/3 of a Martian day, and Deimos has an orbital period of 5/4 Martian days. An astronomer on Mars, near the equator, observes both moons during the course of a Martian night. (a) Would the two moons appear to move in the same direction in the sky? Explain your answer (b) Describe qualitatively how the phases of the two moons might vary during the night (c) Would it be possible for the astronomer to see Phobos both rise and set within a single night? [2] [2] [1] Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos are in equatorial, near-circular orbits around Mars. They both orbit in the direction of the planet's rotation. Phobos has an orbital period of 1/3 of a Martian day, and Deimos has an orbital period of 5/4 Martian days. An astronomer on Mars, near the equator, observes both moons during the course of a Martian night. (a) Would the two moons appear to move in the same direction in the sky? Explain your answer (b) Describe qualitatively how the phases of the two moons might vary during the night (c) Would it be possible for the astronomer to see Phobos both rise and set within a single night? [2] [2] [1]

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

a Deimos would to rise appear in East set in w moving ve... View the full answer