Dubai: In a groundbreaking achievement for an Arab nation, the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) has released a series of unique and exceptional observations of Mars’ smaller moon, Deimos, using all three of its scientific instruments. The aim of the observations was to further our understanding of Mars’ enigmatic moons, particularly Deimos and its larger companion, Phobos.
These observations have defied the long-standing theory that Mars’ moons were captured asteroids and provide evidence pointing towards a planetary origin. The EMM’s findings are a significant milestone in advancing our knowledge of Mars and its moons.
New observations of Mars’ moon Deimos were presented at a special session of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna. These observations, made by the EMM, offer fresh insights into Deimos’ structure and composition.
The observations include high-resolution images captured during close flybys of the moon and the first-ever use of extreme and far ultraviolet techniques as well as detailed hyperspectral data of Deimos in the thermal infrared. This is the first time that regions on the far side of Deimos have been investigated for composition. The EMM’s spacecraft Hope flew as close as 100km to Deimos during the flybys.
According to Ms. Hessa Al Matroushi, the EMM Science Lead, the origins of both Phobos and Deimos are still uncertain. The current theory that they are captured asteroids remains inconclusive, as there are still unanswered questions regarding their composition. The manner in which they acquired their current orbits is also under active investigation, and any new information about these two moons, particularly Deimos, which is seldom observed, has the potential to enhance our understanding of Mars’ satellites. The latest close observations of Deimos suggest that it has a planetary origin, as opposed to being composed of a type D asteroid, as was previously hypothesized.