Is Phobos' Interior Homogenous?

The Phobos Geodetic Control Point Network and Rotation Model

Authors:

Oberst et al

Abstract:

A new global control point network was derived for Phobos, based on SRC (Mars Express), Phobos-2, and Viking Orbiter image data. We derive 3-D Cartesian coordinates for 813 control points as well as improved pointing data for 202 SRC and Viking images in the Phobos-fixed coordinate system. The point accuracies vary from 4.5 m on the Phobos nearside, to up to 67.0 m on the farside, where we rely on Viking images (average point accuracy: 13.7 m). From tracking of the control points we detect a librational motion synchronous to the Phobos orbital period and measure a libration amplitude of 1.09°, in agreement with predictions from shape information assuming a uniform interior. This suggests that the interior of Phobos is homogeneous – but small local mass anomalies, e.g., associated with crater Stickney, cannot be ruled out. Our new control point network has a higher number of data points and a higher point accuracy than previous data products and will be an important basis for accurate shape models and maps.