Lifestyle

Mars' moon Phobos called a 'Space Potato'? Here's WHY

Phobos, Mars' larger moon, is dubbed the 'Space Potato' due to its irregular, lumpy shape. Its weak gravity and slow descent towards Mars make it a celestial oddity worth exploring

Image credits: Pixabay

Size and Shape

Phobos, Mars' moon, measures just 17 x 14 x 11 miles (27 x 22 x 18 km). Its gravity is too weak to form spherical shape, resulting in lumpy, irregular appearance to a potato

Image credits: Pixabay

Gravity Effects

Llimited gravitational pull of Phobos prevents it from achieving rounded shape like Earth's Moon. Instead, its uneven, rugged surface contributes to its nickname, Space potato

Image credits: Pixabay

Lumpy Appearance

Phobos' surface is marked by numerous craters, grooves, further enhancing its irregular, potato-like look. This distinctive, non-spherical shape is a key reason for its nickname.
 

Image credits: Pixabay

Irregular Dimensions

Varied dimensions of Phobos, being significantly longer in one direction, emphasize its potato-like shape. This irregularity makes it stand out among spherical celestial bodies.
 

Image credits: Pixabay

Low Density

Phobos' low density and porous structure add to its lumpy, uneven form. These characteristics make it resemble a potato more than a typical moon, supporting its quirky nickname.
 

Image credits: Pixabay

Comparisons to Potatoes

The comparison to potato highlights Phobos' unique shape in solar system. Unlike spherical moons, Phobos' irregular form is easily likened to common, lumpy appearance of a potato.
 

Image credits: Pixabay

Orbital Decay

Phobos is slowly spiraling towards Mars, moving 1.8 meters closer each century. In about 50 million years, it may crash into Mars or break into a ring like Saturn, Jupiter
 

Image credits: Pixabay
Find Next One