Phobos, the larger moon of Mars often referred to as the ‘space potato’ due to its lumpy and irregular shape, has been captured in a breathtaking image by NASA’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Measuring about 17 by 14 by 11 miles, Phobos lacks the gravitational strength to form a spherical shape like Earth’s Moon, resulting in its unique structure resembling a potato. The striking image showcases Phobos’ brownish-red, crater-filled surface against the dark expanse of space. Notably, a prominent white patch near Stickney crater, one of the largest craters on Phobos, is visible, highlighting the moon’s distinctive features. Despite its seemingly static presence, Phobos is gradually moving closer to Mars at a rate of about six feet every hundred years. Scientists predict that in approximately 50 million years, Phobos will either collide with Mars or break apart into a ring around the planet. Deimos, the smaller and more distant moon of Mars, orbits at an average distance of about 23,500 kilometers with a smoother appearance and fewer large craters compared to Phobos. The HiRISE camera has been studying Mars since 2006, providing valuable insights into the Martian environment and its moons.
