Origin of Phobos and Deimos: Orbital Evolution Shortly after Formation from a Potential Dislocation

This paper deals with the formation and evolution of Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, assuming the dislocation of a larger progenitor as the origin of these moons. The study by R. Hyodo et al. argues that under somewhat simplistic modeling, the postdislocation orbits of Phobos and Deimos inevitably c...

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Main Authors: Ryan Dahoumane, Kévin Baillié, Valéry Lainey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:The Planetary Science Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adcab2
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author Ryan Dahoumane
Kévin Baillié
Valéry Lainey
author_facet Ryan Dahoumane
Kévin Baillié
Valéry Lainey
author_sort Ryan Dahoumane
collection DOAJ
description This paper deals with the formation and evolution of Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, assuming the dislocation of a larger progenitor as the origin of these moons. The study by R. Hyodo et al. argues that under somewhat simplistic modeling, the postdislocation orbits of Phobos and Deimos inevitably collide within 10,000 yr, leading to their mutual annihilation. These findings are based on ${ \mathcal N }$ -body simulations, accounting for Mars’ J _2 and J _4 gravitational perturbations and mutual perturbations between the moons. In this paper, we challenge these findings by extending their work. We incorporate important perturbations such as solar perturbations, Mars’ axial precession and nutation, and its deformation along three axes. We also extend some of the hypotheses made by R. Hyodo et al. concerning the initial distribution of Phobos and Deimos after the dislocation. Our analysis reveals that including these additional perturbations, as well as the possibility of having more than two fragments after the dislocation, does not alter the ultimate fate of Phobos and Deimos. The moons still converge towards collision within comparable timescales, supporting R. Hyodo et al.'s conclusions that the dislocation hypothesis under the dynamical scenario developed by A. Bagheri et al. has, in the best conditions, about a 10% chance of surviving after the first 100,000 yr following their formation.
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spelling doaj-art-99a27ded9c3647d7bb0fd9476cbfe75c2025-08-20T03:47:33ZengIOP PublishingThe Planetary Science Journal2632-33382025-01-016511810.3847/PSJ/adcab2Origin of Phobos and Deimos: Orbital Evolution Shortly after Formation from a Potential DislocationRyan Dahoumane0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8382-8181Kévin Baillié1Valéry Lainey2LTE, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université de Lille, LNE,CNRS , 61 Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France ; ryan.dahoumane@obspm.frLTE, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université de Lille, LNE,CNRS , 61 Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France ; ryan.dahoumane@obspm.frLTE, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université de Lille, LNE,CNRS , 61 Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France ; ryan.dahoumane@obspm.frThis paper deals with the formation and evolution of Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, assuming the dislocation of a larger progenitor as the origin of these moons. The study by R. Hyodo et al. argues that under somewhat simplistic modeling, the postdislocation orbits of Phobos and Deimos inevitably collide within 10,000 yr, leading to their mutual annihilation. These findings are based on ${ \mathcal N }$ -body simulations, accounting for Mars’ J _2 and J _4 gravitational perturbations and mutual perturbations between the moons. In this paper, we challenge these findings by extending their work. We incorporate important perturbations such as solar perturbations, Mars’ axial precession and nutation, and its deformation along three axes. We also extend some of the hypotheses made by R. Hyodo et al. concerning the initial distribution of Phobos and Deimos after the dislocation. Our analysis reveals that including these additional perturbations, as well as the possibility of having more than two fragments after the dislocation, does not alter the ultimate fate of Phobos and Deimos. The moons still converge towards collision within comparable timescales, supporting R. Hyodo et al.'s conclusions that the dislocation hypothesis under the dynamical scenario developed by A. Bagheri et al. has, in the best conditions, about a 10% chance of surviving after the first 100,000 yr following their formation.https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adcab2Celestial mechanicsMartian satellitesN-body simulationsNatural satellite formationPlanetary system formation
spellingShingle Ryan Dahoumane
Kévin Baillié
Valéry Lainey
Origin of Phobos and Deimos: Orbital Evolution Shortly after Formation from a Potential Dislocation
The Planetary Science Journal
Celestial mechanics
Martian satellites
N-body simulations
Natural satellite formation
Planetary system formation
title Origin of Phobos and Deimos: Orbital Evolution Shortly after Formation from a Potential Dislocation
title_full Origin of Phobos and Deimos: Orbital Evolution Shortly after Formation from a Potential Dislocation
title_fullStr Origin of Phobos and Deimos: Orbital Evolution Shortly after Formation from a Potential Dislocation
title_full_unstemmed Origin of Phobos and Deimos: Orbital Evolution Shortly after Formation from a Potential Dislocation
title_short Origin of Phobos and Deimos: Orbital Evolution Shortly after Formation from a Potential Dislocation
title_sort origin of phobos and deimos orbital evolution shortly after formation from a potential dislocation
topic Celestial mechanics
Martian satellites
N-body simulations
Natural satellite formation
Planetary system formation
url https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adcab2
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AT kevinbaillie originofphobosanddeimosorbitalevolutionshortlyafterformationfromapotentialdislocation
AT valerylainey originofphobosanddeimosorbitalevolutionshortlyafterformationfromapotentialdislocation