Phobos Observed by MAVEN

Phobos as observed by MAVEN's Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph.
February 29, 2016
CreditNASA/CU/LASP
Language
  • english

Phobos as observed by MAVEN's Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph. Orange shows mid-ultraviolet (MUV) sunlight reflected from the surface of Phobos, exposing the moon's irregular shape and many craters. Blue shows far ultraviolet light detected at 121.6 nm, which is scattered off of hydrogen gas in the extended upper atmosphere of Mars. Phobos, observed here at a range of 300km, blocks this light, eclipsing the ultraviolet sky.