A deep search for Martian dust rings and inner moons using the Hubble Space Telescope

It has long been suspected that Mars might be encircled by two faint rings, one originating from each of its moons Phobos and Deimos. Meteoroid impacts into these moons should release clouds of dust that quickly spread out to become rings; similar dust rings have been associated with several small inner moons of the gas giants. On May 28, 2001 Mars’ hypothetical ring plane appeared edge-on to Earth within weeks of its opposition, providing the best Earth-based opportunity to detect these rings in several decades. Using the Wide Field/Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) on the Hubble Space Telescope, we obtained a set of deep exposures off the east and west limbs of Mars to search for these hypothetical rings. No rings were detected. This result limits normal optical depths to ∼3×10⁻⁸ for the Phobos ring and ∼10⁻⁷ for the Deimos ring. These limits fall at the low end of prior dynamical predictions and a factor of 1000 below previous observational limits. However, our limit for the Deimos ring is more tentative because of large uncertainties about this ring's expected shape, size and orientation. Our data set is also sensitive to small, previously undetected inner moons. No moons were detected down to a radius limit of 75–125 m. Longitudinal coverage of the region near and between Phobos and Deimos is 40–80% complete. We conclude by describing a promising opportunity for further Martian ring viewing in December 2007.     

Search for Phobos and Deimos gas/dust tori using in situ observations from Mars Global Surveyor MAG/ER

More than 490 elliptical aerobraking and science phasing orbits made by Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) in 1997 and 1998 provide unprecedented coverage of the solar wind in the vicinity of the orbits of the martian moons Phobos and Deimos. We have performed a comprehensive survey of magnetic field perturbations in the solar wind to search for possible signatures of solar wind interaction with dust or gas escaping from the moons. A total of 1246 solar wind disturbance events were identified and their distribution was examined relative to Phobos, the Phobos orbit, and the Deimos orbit. We find that the spatial distribution of solar wind perturbations does not increase near or downstream of Phobos, Phobos’ orbit, or Deimos’ orbit, which would have been expected if there is significant outgassing or dust escape from the martian moons. Of the 1246 magnetic field perturbation events found in the MGS data set, 11 events were found within 2000 km of the Phobos orbit, while three events were found within 2000 km of the Deimos orbit. These events were analyzed in detail and found to likely have other causes than outgassing/dust escape from the martian moons. Thus we conclude that the amount of gas/dust escaping the martian moons is not significant enough to induce detectable magnetic field perturbations in the solar wind. In essence we have not found any clear evidence in the MGS magnetic field data for outgassing or dust escape from the martian moons.     

Marsshine on Phobos

The Viking Orbiters have obtained several images of Phobos at large phase angles in which the portion of the satellite not directly illuminated by the Sun is faintly visible. A photometric analysis of one such image is presented to prove that the phenomenon is real and can be explained by Marsshine (i.e., the illumination of Phobos by sunlight reflected from Mars). Such images provide cross sections of Phobos and are useful in determining the true shape and size of the satellite. The cross section observed in Picture 111A03 agrees closely with that predicted by triaxial ellipsoid model of Phobos developed by Duxbury (1974).     

TV system for navigation and guidance

A TV system for navigation and guidance (TVSNG) has been designed for solving the navigation and scientific tasks of the Phobos-Grunt mission. It consists of two narrow-angle and two wide-angle television cameras. Each camera has a built-in processor for the real-time processing of received images. The program of TVSNG observations includes three modes: Imaging of Stars, Sequential Imaging, and Landing. The first two modes will be used to calibrate the TVSNG against the stars, to take images of Phobos and Mars, and to detect the dust rings of Mars. In the Landing mode, the height and velocity components of the spacecraft during the landing on Phobos will be measured, and an autonomous selection of the landing site will be made.     

Dynamics of Mars-orbiting dust: Effects of light pressure and planetary oblateness

This paper deals with dynamics of impact ejecta from Phobos and Deimos initially on near-circular equatorial orbits around Mars. For particles emitted in a wide size regime of 1 micron and greater, and taking into account the typical particle lifetimes to be less than 100 years, the motion is governed by two perturbing forces: solar radiation pressure and influence of Mars' oblateness. The equations of motion of particles in Lagrangian non-singular elements are deduced and solved, both analytically and numerically, for different-sized ejecta. We state that the coupled effect of both forces above is essential so that on no account can the oblateness of Mars are be neglected. The dynamics of grains prove to be quite different for the ejecta of Phobos and Deimos. For Deimos, the qualitative results are relatively simple and imply oscillations of eccentricity and long-term variations of orbital inclination, with amplitudes and periods both depending on grain size. For Phobos, the dynamics are shown to be much more complicated, and we discuss it in detail. We have found an intriguous peculiar behavior of debris near 300 µm in size. Another finding is that almost all the Phobos ejecta with radii less than 30 µm (against the values of 5 to 20 µm adopted earlier by many authors) should be rapidly lost by collisions with martian surface. The results of the paper may be the base for constructing an improved model of dust belts that presumably exist around Mars.     

Radiance factor calibration of near-infrared spectral images of Mars

We present radiometrically calibrated spectrophotometric images of Mars taken at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) near and during the 1995 and 1999 oppositions. Absolute intensity and radiance factor (r_F = I/F) values have been calculated for approximately 95% of the surface over all longitudes between −70° to 90° latitude in the 1.5- to 4.1-μm spectral region at a spectral resolution (Δλ/λ) of 1.5%. Values of radiance factor range from r_F = 0.4 to 0.6 at 2.2 μm for the bright regions such as Moab and Arabia to r_F = 0.12 to 0.3 at 2.2 μm around the dark regions Syrtis Major and Acidalia Planitia. Variations are seen due to seasonal dust and/or condensate cloud cover and viewing geometry. Our results are generally consistent with the few reported previous radiance factor determinations for Mars. These data are unique among ground-based data in their relatively high spatial resolution (?200 km/pixel at the sub-Earth point) and coverage combined with their spectral resolution and coverage. These radiometrically calibrated observations can be used as input to studies focusing on spectral unmixing of surface and atmospheric components, radiative transfer modeling of disk and limb radiances, and photometric modeling of the martian phase function.     

Life near the Roche limit: Behavior of ejecta from satellites close to planets

The distribution of ejecta from impact craters significantly affects the surface characters of satellites and asteroids. In order to understand better the distinctive features seen on Phobos, Deimos, and Amalthea, we study the dynamics of nearby debris but include several factors — planetary tides plus satellite rotation and nonspherical shape-that complicate the problem. We have taken several different approaches to investigate the behavior of ejecta from satellites near planets. For example, we have calculated numerically the usual pseudoenergy (Jacobi) integral. This is done in the framework of a restricted three-body problem where we model the satellites as triaxial ellipsoids rather than point masses as in past work. Iso-contours of this integral show that Deimos and Amalthea are entirely enclosed by their Roche lobes, and the surfaces of their model ellipsoids lie nearly along equipotentials. Presumably this was once also the case for Phobos, before tidal evolution brought it so close to Mars. Presently the surface of Phobos overflows its Roche lobe, except for the regions within a few kilometers of the sub- and anti-Mars points. Thus most surface material on Phobos is not energetically bound: nevertheless it is retained by the satellite because local gravity has an inward component everywhere. Similar situations probably prevail for the newly discovered satellite of Jupiter (J14) and for the several objects found just outside Saturn's rings. We have also examined the fate of crater ejecta from the satellites of Mars by numerical integration of trajectories for particles leaving their surfaces in the equatorial plane. The ejecta behavior depends dramatically on the longitude of the primary impact, as well as on the speed and direction of ejection. Material thrown farther than a few degrees of longitude remains in flight for an appreciable time. Over intervals of an hour or more, the satellites travel through substantial arcs of their orbits, so that the Coriolis effect then becomes important. For this reason the limit of debris deposition is elongated toward the west while debris thrown to the east escapes at lower ejection velocities. We display some typical trajectories, which include many interesting special effects, such as loops, cusps, “folded” ejecta blankets, and even a temporary satellite of Deimos. Besides being important for understanding the formation of surface features on satellites, our work is perhaps pertinent to regolith development on small satellites and asteroids, and also to the budgets of dust belts around planets.     

Orbital history of the Martian satellites with inferences on their origin

Recent Viking results indicate the Martian satellites are composed of carbonaceous chondritic material, suggesting that Phobos and Deimos were once asteroids captured by Mars. On the other hand, the low eccentricities and inclinations of their orbits on the equator of Mars argue against that hypothesis. This paper presents detailed calculations of the tidal evolution of Phobos and Deimos, considering dissipation in both Mars and its satellites simultaneously and using a new method applicable for any value of the eccentricity. In particular, including precession of the satellites' orbits indicates that they have always remained close to their Laplacian plane, so that the orbital planes of Phobos and Deimos switched from near the Martian orbital plane to the Martian equator once the perturbations due to the planetary oblateness dominated the solar perturbations, as they do presently. The results show that Deimos has been little affected by tides, but several billion (10⁹) years ago, Phobos was in a highly eccentric orbit lying near the common plane of the solar system. This outcome is obtained for very reasonable values of dissipation inside Mars and inside Phobos. Implications for the origin of the Martian satellites are discussed.     

Albedo and photometric study of Mars with the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer on-board the Mars Express mission

The Short Wavelength Channel of the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) covers the 8333-1750 cm⁻¹ (1.2-5.7 μm) spectral range, that is well suited to study the reflectance properties of the martian soil. These properties vary with time due to the dust dynamics in the martian environment. Wind can blow off dust exposing soil and fresh rocks and can support grain mobility inducing local dust settling. We have analyzed PFS data from January 2004 to April 2005. A detailed photometric study of the radiance acquired from the planet has been performed in order to compare correctly measurements obtained at different viewing geometries and to produce a mosaic image of the planet. The results show good agreement with data from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (on-board NASA Mars Global Surveyor orbiter), although some variations are observed. Some albedo changes could be due to small to medium scale dust storms. A very accurate estimation of the limb-darkening parameter has been computed from the analyzed data. The obtained values are compared with a surface roughness and a thermal inertia map in order to assess the relation between the limb-darkening parameter and the physical properties of surface.     

Martian phase function: Modeling the visible to near-infrared surface photometric function using HST-WFPC2 data

Images of Mars in the visible to near-infrared acquired from 1996 to 2005 using the Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 have been used to model the martian surface photometric function at 502, 673, 953, and 1042 nm. These data range in spatial resolution from 12 to 70 km/pixel at the sub-Earth point, and in phase angle coverage from 0.34° to 40.5°. The WFPC2 images have been calibrated to radiance factor or I/F and projected to a cylindrical map for coregistration and comparison to similarly mapped spacecraft data sets of albedo, topography, thermal inertia, composition, and geology. We modeled the observed I/F as a function of phase angle using Minnaert, Lambert, lunar-Lambert, and Hapke photometric functions for numerous regions of interest binned into albedo units defined by Viking and TES albedo maps, and thermal-inertia units defined by TES thermal-inertia maps. Visibly opaque water-ice clouds and data acquired under high dust opacity conditions were excluded from the analysis. Our modeling suggests that under average to low atmospheric dust opacity conditions and over this range of phase angles, the photometric properties of the martian surface at 502, 673, 953, and 1042 nm are best modeled by lunar-Lambert functions with parameters derived for three surface units defined by low, moderate, and high TES bolometric albedos.     

Studies of dust grain properties in infrared reflection nebulae

We have developed a model for reflection nebulae around luminous infrared sources embedded in dense dust clouds. The aim of this study is to determine the sizes of the scattering grains. In our analysis, we have adopted an MRN-like power-law size distribution (Mathis, Rumpl, and Nordsieck) of graphite and silicate grains, but other current dust models would give results which were substantially the same. In the optically thin limit, the intensity of the scattered light is proportional to the dust column density, while in the optically thick limit, it reflects the grain albedo. The results show that the shape of the infrared spectrum is the result of a combination of the scattering properties of the dust, the spectrum of the illuminating source, and foreground extinction, while geometry plays a minor role. Comparison of our model results with infrared observations of the reflection nebula surrounding OMC-2/IRS 1 shows that either a grain size distribution like that found in the diffuse interstellar medium, or one consisting of larger grains, can explain the observed shape of the spectrum. However, the absolute intensity level of the scattered light, as well as the observed polarization, requires large grains (approximately 5000 angstroms). By adding water ice mantles to the silicate and graphite cores, we have modeled the 3.08 micrometers ice band feature, which has been observed in the spectra of several infrared reflection nebulae. We show that this ice band arises naturally in optically thick reflection nebulae containing ice-coated grains. We show that the shape of the ice band is diagnostic of the presence of large grains, as previously suggested by Knacke and McCorkle. Comparison with observations of the BN/KL reflection nebula in the OMC-1 cloud shows that large ice grains (approximately 5000 angstroms) contribute substantially to the scattered light.     

Mariner 9: An instrument of dynamical science

We review and evaluate the contributions of Mariner 9 in improving our knowledge of the dynamical characteristics of Mars and its two satellites, Phobos and Deimos. Primary results include the discovery of the large gravitational and topographical bulge in the Tharsis region, the development of a detailed gravity model representable as coefficients in a spherical harmonic expansion, the development of a topographic model exhibiting a three kilometer displacement of the center of figure from the center of mass, and the determination of the size, shape and motion of Phobos and Deimos.     

Infrared reflectance spectra of Martian analogues

Reflectance spectroscopy in the infrared is a powerful tool to characterise the optical properties of analogue materials for Mars. In this work we present laboratory studies of four Martian analogues: calcite, montmordlonite, palagonite and andesite. Diffuse and specular reflectance and transmittance spectra in the IR are shown. The spectral effect produced by small grains clung to the larger ones is analysed for calcite. Significant variations in the diffuse reflectance spectrum, especially in the reststrahlen region, are observed. The diffuse reflectance spectra of the other materials show the shift of the reststrahlen features with Si content in the materials. Optical constants of andesite are retrieved, by using the Lorentz model, from the specular reflectance spectrum. These values are fundamental in performing modelling of the radiance coming from the planet Mars.     

Secular acceleration of Phobos and Q of Mars

Reductions of Mariner 9 TV data of Phobos and Deimos tend to corroborate the existence of a secular acceleration of Phobos commensurate with two recently reported values based on a reprocessing of Earth-based data. These values of secular acceleration have been used together with Mariner 9 data on the physical size of Phobos and Earth-based photoelectric observations which infer a carbonaceous composition for Phobos to place bounds of 50 < Q < 150 on the tidal dissipation function of Mars. The corresponding bounds on the tidal lag angle are 0.19° < Φ < 0.57°.     

Accurate Mars Express orbits to improve the determination of the mass and ephemeris of the Martian moons

The determination of the ephemeris of the Martian moons has benefited from observations of their plane-of-sky positions derived from images taken by cameras onboard spacecraft orbiting Mars. Images obtained by the Super Resolution Camera (SRC) onboard Mars Express (MEX) have been used to derive moon positions relative to Mars on the basis of a fit of a complete dynamical model of their motion around Mars. Since, these positions are computed from the relative position of the spacecraft when the images are taken, those positions need to be known as accurately as possible. An accurate MEX orbit is obtained by fitting two years of tracking data of the Mars Express Radio Science (MaRS) experiment onboard MEX. The average accuracy of the orbits has been estimated to be around 20–25 m. From these orbits, we have re-derived the positions of Phobos and Deimos at the epoch of the SRC observations and compared them with the positions derived by using the MEX orbits provided by the ESOC navigation team. After fit of the orbital model of Phobos and Deimos, the gain in precision in the Phobos position is roughly 30 m, corresponding to the estimated gain of accuracy of the MEX orbits. A new solution of the GM of the Martian moons has also been obtained from the accurate MEX orbits, which is consistent with previous solutions and, for Phobos, is more precise than the solution from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and Mars Odyssey (ODY) tracking data. It will be further improved with data from MEX-Phobos closer encounters (at a distance less than 300 km). This study also demonstrates the advantage of combining observations of the moon positions from a spacecraft and from the Earth to assess the real accuracy of the spacecraft orbit. In turn, the natural satellite ephemerides can be improved and participate to a better knowledge of the origin and evolution of the Martian moons.     

Surface features of Phobos and Deimos

Viking Orbiter images have provided nearly complete coverage of the two satellites of Mars and have been used to construct maps of the surface features of Phobos and Deimos. The satellites have radically different appearances although nearly all features on both objects were formed directly or indirectly by impact cratering. Phobos has an extensive network of linear depressions (grooves) that probably were formed indirectly by the largest impact recorded on Phobos. Deimos lacks grooves as well as the large number of ridges that occur on Phobos. Craters on Deimos have substantial sediment fill; those on Phobos have none. Evidence of downslope movement of debris is prominent on Deimos but is rare on Phobos. Many of the differences between Phobos and Deimos may be caused by modest differences in mechanical properties. However, the lack of a very large crater on Deimos may be responsible for its lack of grooves.     

Planetary isophotes as a clue to aerosol characteristics

A study was made to see how much information could be extracted from the Mariner 9 Mars isophotes taken at a phase angle of ～60°. We found that the Minneart functions and both isotropic and Rayleigh scattering could easily be ruled out, and that it was essential to use forward-peaked phase functions, which were computed from Mie theory. We could achieve isophotes similar to those observed assuming a semi-infinite dust cloud with a considerable variation in particle properties and size distribution, so long as the ratio of the multiply to singly scattered light was held within certain limits. These conditions are met by micron-sized, moderately absorbing mineral grains whose mean size should not be much larger than a micron. It was also found that a dust cloud of finite optical thickness bounded from below by a Lambert ground would fit the isophote data.     

A dust cloud of Ganymede maintained by hypervelocity impacts of interplanetary micrometeoroids

A dust cloud of Ganymede has been detected by in situ measurements with the dust detector onboard the Galileo spacecraft. The dust grains have been sensed at altitudes below five Ganymede radii (Ganymede radius=2635 km). Our analysis identifies the particles in the dust cloud surrounding Ganymede by their impact direction, impact velocity, and mass distribution and implies that they have been kicked up by hypervelocity impacts of micrometeoroids onto the satellite's surface. We calculate the radial density profile of the particles ejected from the satellite by interplanetary dust grains. We assume the yields, mass and velocity distributions of the ejecta obtained from laboratory impact experiments onto icy targets and consider the dynamics of the ejected grains in ballistic and escaping trajectories near Ganymede. The spatial dust density profile calculated with interplanetary particles as impactors is consistent with the profile derived from the Galileo measurements. The contribution of interstellar grains as projectiles is negligible. Dust measurements in the vicinities of satellites by spacecraft detectors are suggested as a beneficial tool to obtain more knowledge about the satellite surfaces, as well as dusty planetary rings maintained by satellites through the impact ejecta mechanism.     

Principal moments of inertia and secular love number of Phobos

A dynamic homogeneous model of Phobos is used: its boundary is an equipotential surface specified by the second zonal and the second sectorial harmonics plus the constant part of the tidal potential due to Mars. The principal moments of inertia, the hydrostatic second zonal harmonic and the secular Love number of Phobos have been estimated. They support the hypothesis that Phobos is formed out of primordial matter by accretion in orbit.     

Saltation impact as a means for raising dust on Mars

Experiments were conducted under atmospheric pressures appropriate for Earth and Mars to determine the efficiency of sand in saltation as a means for raising dust into the atmosphere under wind speeds which would otherwise be too low for dust entrainment. Experiments involving intimate mixtures of sand and dust (1:1 ratio by mass) showed that after an initial flurry of activity of a few seconds duration, the bed stabilized with little movement of either sand or dust. In contrast, sands set into saltation upwind from dust beds were efficient in injecting the dust into suspension, with low-pressure Martian conditions being some five times more efficient than terrestrial conditions. This result is attributed to the higher kinetic energies of the saltating grains on Mars, which is a consequence of the higher velocities of the grains. These results suggest that sands saltating across dust beds on Mars are an effective means for setting dust into suspension.