Mars’ Moon Phobos Is Falling Apart

Moon Phobos, orbiting a mere 3,700 miles above the surface of Mars, is closer to its planet than any other moon in the solar system.

Now, moon Phobos is falling to pieces. The shallow grooves lining the surface of Phobos are likely early signs of the structural failure, that will ultimately destroy it.

According to a new study, Mars’ gravity is drawing in Phobos, the larger of its two moons, by about 6.6 feet (2 meters) every hundred years, and scientists expect to be pulled apart in 30 to 50 million years.

Image credit NASA

source NASA