Crater densities on the satellites of Mars

Details Crater densities on the satellites of Mars Crater densities on the satellites of Mars

Mar 1980

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980icar...41..365t&link_type=abstract

Icarus, vol. 41, Mar. 1980, p. 365-380.

Computer Science

9

Craters, Deimos, Density Distribution, Phobos, Geochronology, Mars Photographs, Meteorite Craters, Photointerpretation, Viking Orbiter Spacecraft, Mars, Satellites, Craters, Density, Phobos, Deimos, Analysis, Procedure, Data, Diameter, Ages, Viking Orbiter, Comparisons, Spallation, Flux

Scientific paper

The density of craters larger than 1 km in diameter has been determined for the entire surface of Phobos, and half that of Deimos. Densities of craters as small as 10 m on Phobos and 5 m on Deimos have been measured for small areas of the satellites. On both objects, crater densities are similar and yield plots which have slopes close to -1.9 on both incremental and cumulative log-log graphs. These densities are close to those expected to obtain under equilibrium conditions. They are also near the maximum predicted, based on the fragmentation lifetimes of the two objects: that is, the densities are near to the maximum possible before such objects are likely to suffer an impact severe enough to disrupt them. While the observed crater densities cannot be converted to absolute ages in any rigorous fashion, they can be understood if the flux at Mars has been similar to that at the Moon and if the surfaces that we see today generally date back to the end of the period of heavy bombardment some 4 billion years ago. It is extremely unlikely that the surfaces are younger than 1 billion years. There are no large areas on Phobos for which crater densities differ by more than a factor of 3 from the average.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Crater densities on the satellites of Mars does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Crater densities on the satellites of Mars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Crater densities on the satellites of Mars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1572048