Mars Will Become a Ringed Planet When Phobos Dies

Discovery News ^ | 23 Nov, 2015 | IRENE KLOTZ

[MtnClimber]

Phobos survived a giant impact early in its history, but damage from the crash left the moon weak, say Benjamin Black and Tushar Mittal, planetary scientists with University of California at Berkeley.

Their study shows that in 20 million to 40 million years, Phobos will break apart, leaving a cloud of debris that will relatively quickly assembly into a ring around Mars.

Initially, the ring will be as dense as Saturn's rings today, and it will last for up to 100 million years, the study shows.

[MtnClimber]

Won’t happen for 20-40 million years. I don’t plan to stay up to watch.

[Islander7]

Are you kidding? I can hardly wait.

[Nervous Tick]

Paid to predict stuff that may or may not happen in twenty million years.

Nice work, if you can get it.

[Fai Mao]

Will it nine, seven or just the one ring?

[kjam22]

Definitely difficult to judge if your work is accurate when you’re predicting 10 million years out. (as if it will all still be here in 10 million years)

[Moonman62]

It’s not a done deal. We may want to move it or mine it before then.

[freedumb2003]

Women and minorities hardest hit.

[FlingWingFlyer]

This is good information to know.

sarc/

[catfish1957]

Definitely difficult to judge if your work is accurate when you’re predicting 10 million years out.

I'll go out on a limb, and say the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series in the next 10 million years Well ....maybe they will.

[Kudsman]

And I just pray I’ll wake upon the morn. How insignificant. Either, compared to the glory that commands it. Interesting to ponder though.

[MtnClimber]

You must understand that it is not fair. Earth has a stable moon (probably stolen from a poor Planet). Earth should give Mars our good moon and take their broken moon for Global Social Justice.

[ClearCase_guy]

It will probably be cloudy that night anyway.

[doorgunner69]

mars will be more happy with a ring than an impact from the thing...........

[MtnClimber]

Will it be a gay, rainbow colored ring? I did not know planets could be gay, but dear leader will probably correct me.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

It’s an abandoned starship.

[doorgunner69]

Will it be a gay, rainbow colored ring?

I think that happens only on Uranus.................

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks MtnClimber, extra to APoD.

related:

• Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Phobos: Doomed Moon of Mars [10/28/2012]
• Mars' Moon Phobos Undergoing 'Structural Failure' [2015]
• Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Phobos: Doomed Moon of Mars [2015]

[dayglored]

> You must understand that it is not fair. Earth has a stable moon (probably stolen from a poor Planet). Earth should give Mars our good moon and take their broken moon for Global Social Justice.

#BrokeMoonsMatter

You must learn to reject your Terran Privilege.

[SunLakesJeff]

[Dude, do I know you?]

Be well and blessed.