A new surface atlas of Phobos will help MMX mission collect its samples

A new surface atlas of Phobos has been created to help scientists understand the MMX mission's sample-gathering activities. The atlas, titled "The dynamical surface of Phobos: A morphodynamic atlas," was published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. It provides a detailed map of Phobos' surface, showing how regolith moves under the influence of gravity, tides, and rotation. The map includes Regolith Migration Pathways (RMPs), which are preferred routes of regolith transport. The research team, Isabel Herreros and Sébastien Charnoz, used a digital terrain model of Phobos to create this atlas. The map shows that material movement is controlled by factors other than just topography, such as orbital and rotational forces.

The atlas includes data from Phobos' surface features, such as grooves, lineaments, and landslides, and highlights areas where regolith is expected to accumulate. It also shows how material flows in low-gravity conditions, with black lines marking RMPs and red dots indicating their endpoints. The study indicates that regolith movement is influenced by friction angles, both static and dynamic, and that RMPs run along major craters. The research suggests that the movement of regolith on Phobos is driven by a combination of gravity, tides, and rotation, and that this understanding will help the MMX mission collect samples effectively.

The atlas provides a detailed view of Phobos' surface dynamics, showing how material moves under the influence of various forces. It helps scientists interpret the surface morphology and understand the processes that shape the moon's surface. The study highlights the importance of considering both local topography and external forces when analyzing regolith movement. The findings support the idea that Phobos' surface is shaped by dynamic processes, and the atlas will aid in the successful collection of samples from the moon.

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