1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,480 Okay, so get this right. 2 00:00:01,480 --> 00:00:03,900 You've got the red planet Mars. 3 00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:05,360 Everyone knows Mars. 4 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:07,480 Dusty, rusty red, that whole thing. 5 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:09,440 But here's where it gets wild. 6 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:13,960 Mars has not one, but T-W-O moons. 7 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:16,440 Tiny, oddly shaped moons. 8 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:18,520 Called Phobos and Deimos. 9 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,640 We're talking like potato-shaped moons 10 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:24,360 and their origins. 11 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:27,200 A total cosmic mystery. 12 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:28,580 Are they castrate asteroids 13 00:00:28,580 --> 00:00:31,840 or like the remnants of some ancient Martian catastrophe? 14 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:34,160 Today's deep dive takes us 15 00:00:34,160 --> 00:00:35,640 right into the heart of that mystery. 16 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:36,480 Okay. 17 00:00:36,480 --> 00:00:37,880 And I've got an expert guide right here 18 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:39,960 who can hopefully shed some light 19 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:41,600 on these celestial oddities. 20 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,220 I'll do my best. 21 00:00:43,220 --> 00:00:46,480 Welcome to Cosmos in a Pod, Space and Astronomy series. 22 00:00:46,480 --> 00:00:47,520 So first things first, 23 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:50,400 can you give us the lowdown on Phobos and Deimos? 24 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:53,000 How big are these potatoes anyway? 25 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:56,040 And what makes them so different from our own moon? 26 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,320 Well, you're not wrong about the potato comparison. 27 00:00:58,320 --> 00:00:59,160 Okay. 28 00:00:59,160 --> 00:00:59,980 They're oddly shaped. 29 00:00:59,980 --> 00:01:02,840 In terms of size, Phobos, the larger of the two, 30 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:06,200 is only about 22 kilometers in diameter. 31 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:07,920 Deimos is even smaller. 32 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:10,560 It's at a mere 12 kilometers. 33 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:11,400 Wow. 34 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:13,800 That's incredibly tiny compared to our moon, 35 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:16,800 which is over 3,400 kilometers across. 36 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:17,640 Yeah. 37 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:18,960 So yeah, these are definitely the runts 38 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:20,380 of the cosmic litter. 39 00:01:20,380 --> 00:01:21,220 Wow. 40 00:01:21,220 --> 00:01:22,640 That really puts things into perspective. 41 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:27,400 I mean, 22 kilometers, that's like barely a long bike ride. 42 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:30,440 Okay, so we've got these two little guys zipping around Mars. 43 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:31,880 What else makes them stand out 44 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:34,000 in the solar system's moon lineup? 45 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,640 Their orbits are particularly fascinating. 46 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:37,480 Okay. 47 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:38,300 Especially Phobos. 48 00:01:38,300 --> 00:01:39,140 Yeah. 49 00:01:39,140 --> 00:01:41,160 It orbits incredibly close to Mars, 50 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:43,880 a mere 6,000 kilometers above the surface. 51 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:44,720 Wow. 52 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:47,200 Making it the closest moon to any planet we know of. 53 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:48,440 6,000 kilometers. 54 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:49,280 Yeah. 55 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:50,920 That sounds a little too close for comfort. 56 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,760 Like it's practically skimming the Martian atmosphere. 57 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:55,560 Is it in any danger? 58 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:57,040 You're right to be concerned. 59 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:58,320 Because it's so close, 60 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:01,700 Phobos is experiencing some serious gravitational tug 61 00:02:01,700 --> 00:02:02,840 of war from Mars. 62 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:03,680 Oh. 63 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:07,280 Those tidal forces are pulling it closer and closer. 64 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:08,120 Oh no. 65 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:10,840 In fact, it's predicted to eventually collide with Mars. 66 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:11,680 What? 67 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:13,320 In about 50 million years. 68 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:15,060 50 million years. 69 00:02:15,060 --> 00:02:17,420 Well, that gives us some time to plan a going away party, 70 00:02:17,420 --> 00:02:20,280 but seriously, what will happen when it collides? 71 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,240 Will it just go splat on the surface? 72 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:24,200 Well, there are a couple of possibilities. 73 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:26,680 It could indeed crash directly into Mars, 74 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:28,920 creating a massive impact crater. 75 00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:29,760 Oh wow. 76 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:31,380 But there's also a chance that Mars's gravity 77 00:02:31,380 --> 00:02:34,360 will rip Phobos apart before it even reaches the surface. 78 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:35,200 Oh. 79 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:37,400 In that scenario, the debris could spread out 80 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:39,640 and form a temporary ring around the planet. 81 00:02:39,640 --> 00:02:41,040 Wait, a ring around Mars. 82 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:42,400 Now that would be a view. 83 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,860 Okay, so Phobos has got this dramatic destiny ahead of it. 84 00:02:45,860 --> 00:02:49,720 What about Deimos, the quieter, more distant sibling? 85 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:50,600 What's its story? 86 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:52,280 Deimos is a bit of an enigma. 87 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:53,120 Okay. 88 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:54,120 It orbits much farther out 89 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:57,200 at around 23,500 kilometers from Mars. 90 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:58,040 Oh, okay. 91 00:02:58,040 --> 00:02:59,040 And unlike Phobos, 92 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:01,160 it's slowly drifting away from the planet. 93 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:02,000 Really? 94 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:03,840 Its surface is also much smoother 95 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:07,040 compared to Phobos's heavily cratered landscape. 96 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:09,640 So one's spiraling inward towards a fiery demise 97 00:03:09,640 --> 00:03:12,320 and the other is just drifting off into the cosmic distance. 98 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:13,160 Yeah. 99 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:14,000 They're like the planetary equivalent 100 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:15,460 of a dysfunctional family. 101 00:03:15,460 --> 00:03:16,440 That's one way to put it. 102 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:18,160 And that brings us to the heart 103 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:20,640 of the mystery surrounding Phobos and Deimos. 104 00:03:20,640 --> 00:03:22,440 Where did they come from in the first place? 105 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:24,280 Okay, let's get to the bottom of this. 106 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:25,800 Hit me with the theories. 107 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:27,600 There are two main contenders. 108 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:29,840 The first is the captured asteroid theory. 109 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:30,680 Okay. 110 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:32,320 Which suggests that Phobos and Deimos 111 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,640 were once asteroids minding their own business 112 00:03:34,640 --> 00:03:38,240 in the asteroid belt until Mars' gravity snagged them. 113 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:39,920 So Mars was feeling a little lonely 114 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,620 and just decided to adopt a couple of asteroids as moons. 115 00:03:43,620 --> 00:03:45,860 Seems a bit rude, but okay. 116 00:03:45,860 --> 00:03:47,780 But doesn't that seem a little too random? 117 00:03:47,780 --> 00:03:51,080 Wouldn't captured asteroids have more erratic orbits? 118 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:54,160 You've hit on one of the key challenges to this theory. 119 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,640 Phobos and Deimos have surprisingly neat, 120 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,680 almost circular orbits that align with Mars equator. 121 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:00,520 Oh. 122 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:02,620 That's quite unusual for captured objects 123 00:04:02,620 --> 00:04:05,880 which tend to have more elliptical and chaotic paths. 124 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:09,320 Okay, so maybe Mars didn't just go around asteroid napping. 125 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:10,760 What about the other theory? 126 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:12,440 What's the alternative explanation 127 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:14,760 for these odd little moons? 128 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,540 The other possibility is the impact debris theory. 129 00:04:17,540 --> 00:04:20,440 This proposes that a massive object, 130 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:23,580 perhaps a proto planet or a large asteroid, 131 00:04:23,580 --> 00:04:25,920 slammed into Mars billions of years ago. 132 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:26,760 Right. 133 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:28,480 The impact would have been powerful enough 134 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:31,640 to launch a huge amount of debris into space. 135 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:34,400 Like a cosmic car crash, Martian style. 136 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:35,240 Yeah. 137 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:36,400 Can I picture a giant explosion, 138 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:37,820 debris flying everywhere. 139 00:04:37,820 --> 00:04:38,660 Yeah. 140 00:04:38,660 --> 00:04:39,800 And some of that debris clumped together 141 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:41,720 to form Phobos and Deimos. 142 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:42,840 Exactly. 143 00:04:42,840 --> 00:04:45,800 Over time, this debris could have coalesced 144 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:48,880 under its own gravity, forming the moons we see today. 145 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:50,840 All right, so we've got these two possibilities. 146 00:04:50,840 --> 00:04:53,520 And it's like choosing between a cosmic adoption story 147 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:55,100 and a dramatic space collision. 148 00:04:55,100 --> 00:04:57,000 Both seem pretty wild to me. 149 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:57,840 Yeah. 150 00:04:57,840 --> 00:05:00,240 But which theory has more evidence to back it up? 151 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:01,580 That's the million dollar question. 152 00:05:01,580 --> 00:05:03,780 And honestly, it's still hotly debated 153 00:05:03,780 --> 00:05:05,040 in the scientific community. 154 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:05,880 Right. 155 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:07,040 There's evidence supporting both sides 156 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:09,160 which makes this whole thing even more intriguing. 157 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:10,800 All right, spill the beans. 158 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:12,920 What are the key pieces of evidence for each theory? 159 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,040 What makes this debate so complex? 160 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,960 Well, let's start with the captured asteroid theory. 161 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:20,400 One of the biggest pieces of evidence in its favor 162 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:22,640 is the composition of Phobos and Deimos. 163 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:23,480 Okay. 164 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,400 They seem to be made of a type of material 165 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:27,440 called carbonaceous chondrites. 166 00:05:27,440 --> 00:05:28,280 Right. 167 00:05:28,280 --> 00:05:29,600 Which is very similar to what we find 168 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,240 in certain types of asteroids. 169 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:35,160 So their insides are basically saying we're space rocks. 170 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:36,000 Right. 171 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:37,460 But what about their orbits? 172 00:05:37,460 --> 00:05:39,400 You said those neat orbits were a problem 173 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:40,980 for the captured asteroid theory. 174 00:05:40,980 --> 00:05:43,400 Right, and that's where things get tricky. 175 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:44,880 To account for those orbits, 176 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:48,320 some scientists have proposed a fascinating idea. 177 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:51,600 What if Mars once had a ring system? 178 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:52,440 Oh yeah? 179 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:53,520 Much like Saturn's rings. 180 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:54,360 Right. 181 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:56,160 But made of rocky debris instead of ice. 182 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:58,120 Hold on, Mars with rings. 183 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:00,080 That's a mind blowing image. 184 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:03,040 But how would that explain how these supposed asteroids 185 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:06,000 got captured into such nice circular orbits? 186 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:07,120 Think of it this way. 187 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:09,660 Imagine those asteroids wandering through space 188 00:06:09,660 --> 00:06:12,660 and encountering this ring of debris around Mars. 189 00:06:12,660 --> 00:06:14,840 As they interacted with the ring particles, 190 00:06:14,840 --> 00:06:17,560 they would have gradually slowed down, losing energy, 191 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:19,680 and eventually spiraling into those stable orbits 192 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:20,520 we see today. 193 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:22,880 So the ring acted like a cosmic brake pad. 194 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:23,720 Yeah. 195 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:24,760 Taming those wild asteroids. 196 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:25,600 Yes. 197 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:26,420 That's pretty ingenious. 198 00:06:26,420 --> 00:06:28,840 But is there any actual evidence 199 00:06:28,840 --> 00:06:30,320 that Mars ever had rings? 200 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:32,000 It's still a hypothesis, 201 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:34,120 but there is some indirect evidence. 202 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:34,960 Okay. 203 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,560 For example, some scientists believe that the giant impact 204 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:40,120 that might have formed Phobos and Deimos 205 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:43,480 could have also created a temporary ring system. 206 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:44,320 Oh wow. 207 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:46,840 The debris from that impact could have lingered around Mars 208 00:06:46,840 --> 00:06:49,660 for millions of years before eventually coalescing 209 00:06:49,660 --> 00:06:51,840 into moons or falling back to the surface. 210 00:06:51,840 --> 00:06:53,320 Okay, so that's an interesting twist 211 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:54,840 on the captured asteroid theory. 212 00:06:54,840 --> 00:06:56,160 That's like a two for one deal. 213 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:57,000 Yeah. 214 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:57,960 A giant impact entity. 215 00:06:57,960 --> 00:06:59,200 A temporary ring system. 216 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:00,040 Right. 217 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:01,680 But what about the impact debris theory? 218 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:04,500 What evidence supports that side of the story? 219 00:07:04,500 --> 00:07:06,640 One of the strongest pieces of evidence 220 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:08,760 for the impact debris theory is, 221 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:10,320 well, the impact itself. 222 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:11,160 Okay. 223 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:12,920 There's a massive impact basin on Mars 224 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:14,600 called the Borealis Basin. 225 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:16,680 It's one of the largest impact craters 226 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:18,320 in the entire solar system. 227 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:20,480 So we've got a crime scene. 228 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:22,680 And the impact debris theory is basically saying 229 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:25,800 that Phobos and Deimos are the remnants 230 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:27,280 of that cosmic hit and run. 231 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:28,260 Exactly. 232 00:07:28,260 --> 00:07:30,560 The impact that created the Borealis Basin 233 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:32,480 would have been catastrophic, 234 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:36,200 ejecting an immense amount of Martian material into space. 235 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:37,040 Right. 236 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:39,600 And some scientists believe that a portion of that debris 237 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:43,240 could have coalesced to form Phobos and Deimos. 238 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:44,880 Okay, so we've got the potential 239 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:48,400 for a temporary Martian ring system, A&D, 240 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:50,480 a giant impact crater. 241 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:52,760 This is getting more and more dramatic. 242 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:55,880 But I'm still curious about the composition of these moons. 243 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:58,200 You said they're similar to carbonaceous chondrites, 244 00:07:58,200 --> 00:07:59,280 which are asteroids, right? 245 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:00,100 Right. 246 00:08:00,100 --> 00:08:02,480 But if they formed from debris blasted off Mars, 247 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:04,600 shouldn't they be made of Martian stuff? 248 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:05,520 That's a great point. 249 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:07,520 And it's one of the ongoing puzzles. 250 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,280 However, recent research suggests that the composition 251 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,880 of Martian rocks can vary significantly 252 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:13,960 depending on where you look. 253 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:14,800 Okay. 254 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,120 There's a region on Mars called the Northern Lowlands, 255 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:18,460 which is thought to be composed 256 00:08:18,460 --> 00:08:20,640 of very ancient crustal material. 257 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:22,760 And some studies suggest that this material 258 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:24,640 might have a composition that's closer 259 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:26,640 to what we see in Phobos and Deimos. 260 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:29,360 So if the impact happened in that region, 261 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:30,920 it could have blasted off material 262 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,440 that was more asteroid-like in composition. 263 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:34,280 Exactly. 264 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:35,100 Okay. 265 00:08:35,100 --> 00:08:36,680 So it's possible that even though they formed 266 00:08:36,680 --> 00:08:39,720 from Martian debris, they ended up with a composition 267 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:41,980 that resembles asteroids. 268 00:08:41,980 --> 00:08:43,520 It's a complex puzzle. 269 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:46,540 And scientists are still piecing together all the clues. 270 00:08:46,540 --> 00:08:48,400 Okay. So we've got these two theories, 271 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:51,120 each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. 272 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:53,080 It's a cosmic detective story. 273 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,520 And the evidence is leading us in different directions. 274 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:57,440 But there's one thing we haven't talked much about yet, 275 00:08:57,440 --> 00:08:58,640 the MMX mission. 276 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:01,800 What role could this mission play 277 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:05,180 in solving the mystery of Phobos and Deimos' origins? 278 00:09:05,180 --> 00:09:07,320 The MMX mission could be a game changer. 279 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,400 Remember, it aims to land on Phobos, collect samples, 280 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:12,960 and bring them back to Earth for detailed analysis. 281 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:15,200 It's like a cosmic grab and go. 282 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,200 But how will these samples help us figure out 283 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:18,760 where these moons came from? 284 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:20,620 By studying the composition, age, 285 00:09:20,620 --> 00:09:22,280 and structure of the samples, 286 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:24,800 scientists will gain a much deeper understanding 287 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:26,120 of Phobos' makeup. 288 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:27,800 So it's like having a piece of the puzzle 289 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:29,080 delivered right to our doorstep. 290 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:30,160 Pretty nicely. Gotcha. 291 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,940 And with that piece, we might finally be able 292 00:09:32,940 --> 00:09:37,140 to solve the puzzle of Phobos and Deimos' origins. 293 00:09:37,140 --> 00:09:39,420 The data from the MMX mission 294 00:09:39,420 --> 00:09:41,480 could provide definitive evidence 295 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,920 for one theory or the other. 296 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:47,000 Or perhaps even lead to a completely new understanding. 297 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,680 I can't wait to hear what they discover. 298 00:09:48,680 --> 00:09:51,500 This mission has the potential to rewrite the textbooks 299 00:09:51,500 --> 00:09:52,720 on Martian moons. 300 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:54,940 But speaking of Phobos, 301 00:09:54,940 --> 00:09:57,240 there's another intriguing aspect to this moon 302 00:09:57,240 --> 00:09:58,640 that I want to explore. 303 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:01,080 We've talked about its eventual demise. 304 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:03,040 But before it meets its fiery end, 305 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,400 could Phobos actually play a crucial role 306 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:07,600 in our future exploration of Mars? 307 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:09,520 Ah, you're talking about the idea of using Phobos 308 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:11,600 as a base camp for Martian exploration. 309 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:12,420 Exactly. 310 00:10:12,420 --> 00:10:14,360 It's like a stepping stone to the red planet. 311 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:15,760 Tell me more. 312 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:18,160 What makes Phobos such a valuable asset 313 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:19,800 in our Martian ambitions? 314 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:20,620 Well, think about it. 315 00:10:20,620 --> 00:10:22,720 Phobos is incredibly close to Mars. 316 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:25,720 It's like having a front row seat to all the Martian action. 317 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:28,900 So we could have telescopes and instruments on Phobos, 318 00:10:28,900 --> 00:10:31,600 giving us an unparalleled view of the Martian surface. 319 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:32,440 Absolutely. 320 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:33,260 Cool. 321 00:10:33,260 --> 00:10:35,200 We could study the Martian atmosphere, 322 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,080 monitor weather patterns, 323 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:39,320 and even scout out potential landing sites 324 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:40,720 for future missions. 325 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:44,160 And because Phobos is tidally locked to Mars, 326 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:46,880 always showing the same face to the planet, 327 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:48,700 we could have continuous monitoring 328 00:10:48,700 --> 00:10:50,440 of specific regions of interest. 329 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:51,280 Okay. 330 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:52,600 I'm starting to see the appeal. 331 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:53,440 Yeah. 332 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:55,240 It's like having a Martian observatory, 333 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:57,000 but way closer to the action. 334 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:57,840 Right. 335 00:10:57,840 --> 00:10:59,880 But what about actually getting to and from Mars? 336 00:10:59,880 --> 00:11:01,800 Wouldn't that still be a major challenge? 337 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,560 That's where Phobos' low gravity comes into play. 338 00:11:04,560 --> 00:11:07,200 Remember, its gravitational pull is much weaker 339 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:08,960 than Earth's or even Mars. 340 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:09,800 Right. 341 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:10,620 We talked about that earlier. 342 00:11:10,620 --> 00:11:11,460 It's like a cosmic featherweight. 343 00:11:11,460 --> 00:11:12,300 Yeah. 344 00:11:12,300 --> 00:11:14,660 But how does that make things easier for space travel? 345 00:11:14,660 --> 00:11:16,700 Well, it takes significantly less energy 346 00:11:16,700 --> 00:11:18,680 to launch a spacecraft from Phobos 347 00:11:18,680 --> 00:11:21,660 compared to Earth or Mars. 348 00:11:21,660 --> 00:11:24,940 So we could send robots, supplies, 349 00:11:24,940 --> 00:11:27,540 and maybe even humans to the Martian surface 350 00:11:27,540 --> 00:11:28,840 much more efficiently. 351 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:29,680 Exactly. 352 00:11:29,680 --> 00:11:32,660 And landing on Phobos itself would be much safer 353 00:11:32,660 --> 00:11:34,860 and simpler than landing on Mars. 354 00:11:34,860 --> 00:11:37,840 We wouldn't have to worry as much about atmospheric drag 355 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:39,900 or the complexities of landing on a planet 356 00:11:39,900 --> 00:11:41,540 with a substantial atmosphere. 357 00:11:41,540 --> 00:11:42,380 Wow. 358 00:11:42,380 --> 00:11:43,720 I never thought about it that way. 359 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:46,340 It completely changes my perspective on Phobos. 360 00:11:46,340 --> 00:11:47,960 It's not just a doomed moon. 361 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:50,120 It's a potential gateway to the red planet. 362 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:50,960 It is. 363 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:54,120 And by establishing a base on Phobos, 364 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:56,360 we could learn a lot about the moon itself. 365 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:57,200 Yeah. 366 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:58,660 And actually its internal structure. 367 00:11:58,660 --> 00:11:59,500 Yep. 368 00:11:59,500 --> 00:12:02,100 We could conduct seismic surveys, drill into the surface, 369 00:12:02,100 --> 00:12:04,180 and even set up a network of sensors 370 00:12:04,180 --> 00:12:05,860 to monitor its environment. 371 00:12:05,860 --> 00:12:09,580 So Phobos is a stepping stone to Mars ND, 372 00:12:09,580 --> 00:12:12,140 a scientific gold mine in its own right. 373 00:12:12,140 --> 00:12:14,180 But what's the current status of this idea? 374 00:12:14,180 --> 00:12:16,400 Are there any concrete plans to build a base 375 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:18,020 on Phobos anytime soon? 376 00:12:18,020 --> 00:12:20,180 Well, it's still in the early stages of development, 377 00:12:20,180 --> 00:12:22,540 but many space agencies and private companies 378 00:12:22,540 --> 00:12:24,100 are seriously considering it. 379 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:24,940 Okay. 380 00:12:24,940 --> 00:12:27,060 Some have even proposed using 3D printing technology 381 00:12:27,060 --> 00:12:29,620 to construct habitats and other structures on Phobos, 382 00:12:29,620 --> 00:12:31,980 utilizing materials found on the moon itself. 383 00:12:31,980 --> 00:12:34,620 3D printed habitats on a Martian moon. 384 00:12:34,620 --> 00:12:37,100 Now that's some next level space exploration. 385 00:12:37,100 --> 00:12:37,920 It is. 386 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:40,260 And it highlights how our understanding of Phobos 387 00:12:40,260 --> 00:12:42,420 and its potential has evolved over time. 388 00:12:42,420 --> 00:12:44,900 It's no longer just a curious little moon. 389 00:12:44,900 --> 00:12:48,180 It's a potential key to unlocking the secrets of Mars 390 00:12:48,180 --> 00:12:50,780 and pushing the boundaries of human exploration. 391 00:12:50,780 --> 00:12:53,880 I'm totally captivated by this vision of Phobos 392 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:55,220 as a Martian outpost. 393 00:12:55,220 --> 00:12:56,500 But before we get ahead of ourselves, 394 00:12:56,500 --> 00:12:58,860 let's go back to basics for a moment. 395 00:12:58,860 --> 00:13:01,240 We've talked about the external features of these moons, 396 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,000 their orbits, their potential origins, 397 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:06,420 but what about their internal structures? 398 00:13:06,420 --> 00:13:09,100 What's going on beneath those cratered surfaces? 399 00:13:09,100 --> 00:13:11,460 Are they solid chunks of rock? 400 00:13:11,460 --> 00:13:14,100 Or is there something more unexpected lurking inside? 401 00:13:14,100 --> 00:13:15,180 That's a great question. 402 00:13:15,180 --> 00:13:17,860 And one that scientists are still grappling with. 403 00:13:17,860 --> 00:13:19,980 One of the biggest clues we have 404 00:13:19,980 --> 00:13:22,260 is their surprisingly low density. 405 00:13:22,260 --> 00:13:23,180 Right, you mentioned that earlier. 406 00:13:23,180 --> 00:13:26,060 They're much less dense than typical rock. 407 00:13:26,060 --> 00:13:27,820 They're not as packed as you'd expect. 408 00:13:27,820 --> 00:13:28,900 Exactly. 409 00:13:28,900 --> 00:13:31,220 And that low density has led some scientists 410 00:13:31,220 --> 00:13:33,140 to propose that Phobos and Deimos 411 00:13:33,140 --> 00:13:35,220 might not be solid objects at all, 412 00:13:35,220 --> 00:13:36,380 but rather rubble piles. 413 00:13:36,380 --> 00:13:37,220 Rubble piles. 414 00:13:37,220 --> 00:13:40,180 So not a single solid piece of rock, 415 00:13:40,180 --> 00:13:43,420 but more like a bunch of smaller rocks and debris 416 00:13:43,420 --> 00:13:44,940 loosely held together by gravity. 417 00:13:44,940 --> 00:13:45,780 Precisely. 418 00:13:45,780 --> 00:13:48,200 Imagine a giant cosmic Jenga tower, 419 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:49,780 but instead of wooden blocks, 420 00:13:49,780 --> 00:13:52,120 it's made of rocks and boulders of various sizes 421 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:54,140 with lots of empty spaces in between. 422 00:13:54,140 --> 00:13:56,260 Wow, that's a wild thought. 423 00:13:56,260 --> 00:13:58,260 Cosmic Jenga in space. 424 00:13:58,260 --> 00:14:00,820 But how could something like that even form? 425 00:14:00,820 --> 00:14:03,900 Well, if Phobos and Deimos are captured asteroids, 426 00:14:03,900 --> 00:14:05,620 as some scientists believe, 427 00:14:05,620 --> 00:14:08,020 they might have formed from the gradual accumulation 428 00:14:08,020 --> 00:14:10,700 of smaller objects in the early solar system. 429 00:14:10,700 --> 00:14:13,300 Over time, these objects would have collided 430 00:14:13,300 --> 00:14:16,740 and stuck together, forming a loosely bound rubble pile. 431 00:14:16,740 --> 00:14:18,740 Okay, so it's like a cosmic snowball effect. 432 00:14:18,740 --> 00:14:19,580 Yeah. 433 00:14:19,580 --> 00:14:21,340 But with rocks instead of snow. 434 00:14:21,340 --> 00:14:23,380 But what if they formed from the impact debris 435 00:14:23,380 --> 00:14:24,660 like we talked about earlier? 436 00:14:24,660 --> 00:14:27,340 Could a giant impact create a rubble pile moon? 437 00:14:27,340 --> 00:14:28,180 Absolutely. 438 00:14:28,180 --> 00:14:30,820 If the impact that formed Phobos and Deimos 439 00:14:30,820 --> 00:14:31,860 was powerful enough, 440 00:14:31,860 --> 00:14:34,140 it could have shattered the original Martian material 441 00:14:34,140 --> 00:14:36,060 into countless fragments. 442 00:14:36,060 --> 00:14:38,080 Those fragments could have then coalesced 443 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:39,560 under their own gravity, 444 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:42,140 forming a moon that's more like a loosely bound 445 00:14:42,140 --> 00:14:44,380 collection of debris than a solid object. 446 00:14:44,380 --> 00:14:46,460 So these little moons could be like 447 00:14:46,460 --> 00:14:49,220 giant cosmic jigsaw puzzles 448 00:14:49,220 --> 00:14:51,660 made up of pieces of ancient Mars. 449 00:14:51,660 --> 00:14:54,380 Exactly, and that makes studying their internal structures 450 00:14:54,380 --> 00:14:55,700 even more fascinating. 451 00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:58,380 By understanding how these rubble piles are put together, 452 00:14:58,380 --> 00:15:00,100 we could learn a lot about the composition 453 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:01,700 of the early Martian crust. 454 00:15:01,700 --> 00:15:02,540 Oh, wow. 455 00:15:02,540 --> 00:15:05,820 And even potentially find clues to the conditions on Mars 456 00:15:05,820 --> 00:15:07,020 billions of years ago. 457 00:15:07,020 --> 00:15:08,940 Wow, it's like having a window 458 00:15:08,940 --> 00:15:11,060 into the ancient history of Mars. 459 00:15:11,060 --> 00:15:12,460 But how can we actually figure out 460 00:15:12,460 --> 00:15:14,060 what's going on inside these moons? 461 00:15:14,060 --> 00:15:16,780 Can we just send a giant X-ray machine into space? 462 00:15:16,780 --> 00:15:17,780 I wish it were that simple. 463 00:15:17,780 --> 00:15:20,020 Unfortunately, we can't just see through these moons. 464 00:15:20,020 --> 00:15:22,900 But there are other ways to probe their internal structures. 465 00:15:22,900 --> 00:15:24,820 Okay, I'm all ears. 466 00:15:24,820 --> 00:15:28,020 What tools do cosmic detectives use 467 00:15:28,020 --> 00:15:30,100 to study the insides of moons? 468 00:15:30,100 --> 00:15:32,100 One powerful tool is gravity. 469 00:15:32,100 --> 00:15:34,660 By carefully tracking the motion of spacecraft 470 00:15:34,660 --> 00:15:36,900 orbiting Phobos and Deimos, 471 00:15:36,900 --> 00:15:39,580 scientists can map out their gravitational fields 472 00:15:39,580 --> 00:15:41,340 in great detail. 473 00:15:41,340 --> 00:15:44,860 So how does gravity tell us what's going on inside? 474 00:15:44,860 --> 00:15:47,460 Well, the strength and shape of a moon's gravitational field 475 00:15:47,460 --> 00:15:50,060 depends on how its mass is distributed. 476 00:15:50,060 --> 00:15:52,740 If a moon is perfectly uniform and solid, 477 00:15:52,740 --> 00:15:55,380 its gravity field will be smooth and symmetrical. 478 00:15:55,380 --> 00:15:56,220 Okay, makes sense. 479 00:15:56,220 --> 00:16:00,700 So if the gravity field is kind of lumpy or irregular, 480 00:16:00,700 --> 00:16:02,980 it means the mass isn't evenly distributed. 481 00:16:02,980 --> 00:16:03,820 Exactly. 482 00:16:03,820 --> 00:16:05,820 And those variations can tell us a lot 483 00:16:05,820 --> 00:16:07,900 about the internal structure of the moon. 484 00:16:07,900 --> 00:16:09,620 For example, if we detect a region 485 00:16:09,620 --> 00:16:11,420 with slightly weaker gravity, 486 00:16:11,420 --> 00:16:15,420 it might indicate a large void or cavity inside the moon. 487 00:16:15,420 --> 00:16:18,580 So it's like using gravity as a cosmic stethoscope, 488 00:16:18,580 --> 00:16:21,540 listening for clues about the moon's internal health. 489 00:16:21,540 --> 00:16:22,580 That's a great analogy. 490 00:16:22,580 --> 00:16:24,940 And another technique we can use is seismic waves. 491 00:16:24,940 --> 00:16:25,780 Seismic waves. 492 00:16:25,780 --> 00:16:26,600 Yeah. 493 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:27,620 Like the waves generated by earthquakes. 494 00:16:27,620 --> 00:16:28,460 Exactly. 495 00:16:28,460 --> 00:16:30,220 But how can we study earthquakes on a moon 496 00:16:30,220 --> 00:16:32,740 that doesn't seem to have any tectonic activity? 497 00:16:32,740 --> 00:16:35,660 Well, we can create our own seismic waves. 498 00:16:35,660 --> 00:16:38,180 Scientists have proposed sending spacecraft 499 00:16:38,180 --> 00:16:40,580 equipped with impactors to Phobos. 500 00:16:40,580 --> 00:16:41,420 Oh, wait. 501 00:16:41,420 --> 00:16:42,980 These impactors would be released 502 00:16:42,980 --> 00:16:44,780 and would collide with the surface. 503 00:16:44,780 --> 00:16:45,620 Right. 504 00:16:45,620 --> 00:16:46,460 Generating seismic waves 505 00:16:46,460 --> 00:16:48,260 that would travel through the moon's interior. 506 00:16:48,260 --> 00:16:50,980 It's like giving Phobos a gentle cosmic tap 507 00:16:50,980 --> 00:16:52,500 to see what kind of sound it makes. 508 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:53,340 Uh-huh. 509 00:16:53,340 --> 00:16:55,580 And by studying how those seismic waves propagate, 510 00:16:55,580 --> 00:16:57,500 we could learn about the different layers 511 00:16:57,500 --> 00:16:58,740 and materials inside. 512 00:16:58,740 --> 00:16:59,580 Exactly. 513 00:16:59,580 --> 00:17:02,740 It's similar to how geologists use seismic waves 514 00:17:02,740 --> 00:17:06,060 from earthquakes to study the earth's interior. 515 00:17:06,060 --> 00:17:08,420 By analyzing the speed and direction of these waves, 516 00:17:08,420 --> 00:17:10,360 we can create a detailed picture 517 00:17:10,360 --> 00:17:11,780 of what lies beneath the surface. 518 00:17:11,780 --> 00:17:12,700 Wow. 519 00:17:12,700 --> 00:17:15,700 It's like giving Phobos a cosmic ultrasound. 520 00:17:15,700 --> 00:17:17,700 And all this information could help us figure out 521 00:17:17,700 --> 00:17:19,700 if those moons are truly rubble piles 522 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:21,100 or something else entirely. 523 00:17:21,100 --> 00:17:22,020 Precisely. 524 00:17:22,020 --> 00:17:22,900 And not only that, 525 00:17:22,900 --> 00:17:25,380 but the information we gather about their internal structures 526 00:17:25,380 --> 00:17:27,420 could have implications for our understanding 527 00:17:27,420 --> 00:17:30,660 of their origins, their potential to harbor resources, 528 00:17:30,660 --> 00:17:32,700 and even their potential to hold clues 529 00:17:32,700 --> 00:17:34,280 to ancient life on Mars. 530 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,060 Okay, now you've really piqued my curiosity. 531 00:17:37,060 --> 00:17:39,080 How could the internal structure of these moons 532 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:41,780 tell us about the possibility of life on Mars? 533 00:17:41,780 --> 00:17:43,540 Remember we talked about the possibility 534 00:17:43,540 --> 00:17:47,500 that Phobos and Deimos contained fragments of ancient Mars 535 00:17:47,500 --> 00:17:49,180 blasted off during impacts? 536 00:17:49,180 --> 00:17:50,820 Right, the little time capsule idea. 537 00:17:50,820 --> 00:17:52,820 Well, if those fragments came from deep 538 00:17:52,820 --> 00:17:55,180 within the Martian crust or even the mantle, 539 00:17:55,180 --> 00:17:57,380 they might contain evidence of past life. 540 00:17:57,380 --> 00:17:58,220 Okay. 541 00:17:58,220 --> 00:18:00,800 Imagine if we find fossilized microbes 542 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:04,660 or organic molecules trapped within the rocks of Phobos. 543 00:18:04,660 --> 00:18:06,380 Whoa, that would be mind blowing. 544 00:18:06,380 --> 00:18:08,940 Finding signs of Martian life on its own moon. 545 00:18:08,940 --> 00:18:11,080 It's a long shot, but it's not impossible. 546 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:13,460 And the MMX mission with its goal of bringing back 547 00:18:13,460 --> 00:18:17,140 pristine samples from Phobos could provide the answers. 548 00:18:17,140 --> 00:18:20,220 I'm starting to see why this mission is such a big deal. 549 00:18:20,220 --> 00:18:22,860 It has the potential to unlock so many secrets, 550 00:18:22,860 --> 00:18:25,540 not just about Phobos and Deimos, but about Mars itself. 551 00:18:25,540 --> 00:18:26,540 Exactly. 552 00:18:26,540 --> 00:18:28,860 And it highlights how even the smallest, 553 00:18:28,860 --> 00:18:32,100 seemingly insignificant objects in our solar system 554 00:18:32,100 --> 00:18:35,020 can hold the keys to unlocking some of the biggest mysteries 555 00:18:35,020 --> 00:18:36,040 of the universe. 556 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:38,820 Well, we've covered a lot of ground in this deep dive. 557 00:18:38,820 --> 00:18:42,900 From their potato-like shapes to their mysterious origins 558 00:18:42,900 --> 00:18:46,020 and their potential as stepping stones to Mars. 559 00:18:46,020 --> 00:18:48,900 But there's still one intriguing aspect of these moons 560 00:18:48,900 --> 00:18:50,540 that we haven't touched upon yet. 561 00:18:50,540 --> 00:18:52,380 Their cultural significance. 562 00:18:52,380 --> 00:18:55,100 What role do they play in our collective imagination, 563 00:18:55,100 --> 00:18:58,180 in mythology, or even in science fiction? 564 00:18:58,180 --> 00:18:59,240 That's a great question. 565 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:02,700 And it's one that takes us beyond the realm of pure science 566 00:19:02,700 --> 00:19:06,300 and into the world of humanic storytelling and imagination. 567 00:19:06,300 --> 00:19:09,420 Phobos and Deimos, named after the Greek gods of fear 568 00:19:09,420 --> 00:19:11,740 and panic respectively, have certainly 569 00:19:11,740 --> 00:19:14,340 captured the imaginations of writers, artists, 570 00:19:14,340 --> 00:19:16,300 and filmmakers for generations. 571 00:19:16,300 --> 00:19:18,340 Just their names alone, Phobos and Deimos, 572 00:19:18,340 --> 00:19:19,460 sound pretty ominous. 573 00:19:19,460 --> 00:19:22,200 I can see why they'd be popular subjects for science fiction. 574 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:23,460 Exactly. 575 00:19:23,460 --> 00:19:25,700 Their evocative names and their close proximity 576 00:19:25,700 --> 00:19:27,180 to Mars, a planet that has always 577 00:19:27,180 --> 00:19:29,500 held a special fascination for humanity, 578 00:19:29,500 --> 00:19:32,140 have made them popular settings for sci-fi stories. 579 00:19:32,140 --> 00:19:34,620 They're often depicted as desolate outposts, 580 00:19:34,620 --> 00:19:38,220 mysterious alien worlds, or even gateways to other dimensions. 581 00:19:38,220 --> 00:19:39,900 Have there been any notable depictions 582 00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:43,140 of Phobos and Deimos in pop culture that come to mind? 583 00:19:43,140 --> 00:19:44,340 Oh, definitely. 584 00:19:44,340 --> 00:19:46,780 One classic example is the science fiction novel, 585 00:19:46,780 --> 00:19:49,940 The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury. 586 00:19:49,940 --> 00:19:52,740 In one of the stories, human colonists on Mars 587 00:19:52,740 --> 00:19:56,380 witnessed the destruction of Phobos, a terrifying event 588 00:19:56,380 --> 00:19:58,340 that foreshadows the eventual collapse 589 00:19:58,340 --> 00:19:59,780 of their own civilization. 590 00:19:59,780 --> 00:20:01,820 Wow, that's pretty heavy. 591 00:20:01,820 --> 00:20:03,300 It's like Phobos becomes a symbol 592 00:20:03,300 --> 00:20:05,500 of the fragility of human ambition 593 00:20:05,500 --> 00:20:08,860 in the face of the vast and often unforgiving cosmos. 594 00:20:08,860 --> 00:20:10,340 Exactly. 595 00:20:10,340 --> 00:20:12,100 And it shows how Phobos and Deimos 596 00:20:12,100 --> 00:20:14,140 can serve as more than just physical objects 597 00:20:14,140 --> 00:20:15,100 in our stories. 598 00:20:15,100 --> 00:20:17,540 They can represent our fears, our hopes, 599 00:20:17,540 --> 00:20:19,900 and our enduring fascination with the unknown. 600 00:20:19,900 --> 00:20:22,860 So even though they're tiny compared to our own moon, 601 00:20:22,860 --> 00:20:25,260 they hold a big place in our cultural landscape. 602 00:20:25,260 --> 00:20:26,300 Absolutely. 603 00:20:26,300 --> 00:20:28,580 They remind us that even the smallest objects 604 00:20:28,580 --> 00:20:30,580 in the universe can spark our imaginations 605 00:20:30,580 --> 00:20:33,700 and inspire us to explore the boundaries of what's possible. 606 00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:35,020 Well, it seems like we've reached the end 607 00:20:35,020 --> 00:20:36,340 of this leg of our journey. 608 00:20:36,340 --> 00:20:36,860 Yeah. 609 00:20:36,860 --> 00:20:39,100 We've peered into the hearts of these Martian moons, 610 00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:41,620 explored their mysteries, and even pondered their place 611 00:20:41,620 --> 00:20:43,220 in our collective imagination. 612 00:20:43,220 --> 00:20:44,620 It's been an incredible deep dive, 613 00:20:44,620 --> 00:20:46,260 and I feel like I've learned so much. 614 00:20:46,260 --> 00:20:48,980 It has been a fascinating exploration, 615 00:20:48,980 --> 00:20:50,700 and it highlights how much we've learned 616 00:20:50,700 --> 00:20:53,100 about these once enigmatic objects, 617 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:54,980 while also reminding us of how much there 618 00:20:54,980 --> 00:20:56,820 is still left to discover. 619 00:20:56,820 --> 00:20:58,940 Before we wrap up this part of our deep dive, 620 00:20:58,940 --> 00:21:00,620 any porting thoughts for our listeners 621 00:21:00,620 --> 00:21:03,180 as we move on to the final part of our exploration? 622 00:21:03,180 --> 00:21:04,980 I think one of the biggest takeaways here 623 00:21:04,980 --> 00:21:07,020 is that even in our own cosmic backyard, 624 00:21:07,020 --> 00:21:09,740 there are still so many mysteries waiting 625 00:21:09,740 --> 00:21:10,620 to be uncovered. 626 00:21:10,620 --> 00:21:11,220 Yeah. 627 00:21:11,220 --> 00:21:14,460 Phobos and Deimos, these little potato-shaped moons, 628 00:21:14,460 --> 00:21:16,860 have turned out to be far more complex and intriguing 629 00:21:16,860 --> 00:21:18,220 than I ever imagined. 630 00:21:18,220 --> 00:21:20,540 They really are a testament to the power 631 00:21:20,540 --> 00:21:22,500 of scientific curiosity. 632 00:21:22,500 --> 00:21:25,380 Every new discovery opens up even more questions, 633 00:21:25,380 --> 00:21:28,460 pushing us to dig deeper and explore further. 634 00:21:28,460 --> 00:21:29,740 Well said. 635 00:21:29,740 --> 00:21:31,780 As we move on to the final part of our deep dive 636 00:21:31,780 --> 00:21:34,460 into the mysteries of Phobos and Deimos, 637 00:21:34,460 --> 00:21:37,300 what else can you tell us about these fascinating moons? 638 00:21:37,300 --> 00:21:39,020 What other secrets are they hiding? 639 00:21:39,020 --> 00:21:40,660 Well, we've talked about their origins, 640 00:21:40,660 --> 00:21:43,180 their potential as stepping stones to Mars, 641 00:21:43,180 --> 00:21:46,620 even their presence in our collective imagination. 642 00:21:46,620 --> 00:21:48,420 But there's one more aspect of these moons 643 00:21:48,420 --> 00:21:51,380 that I find particularly intriguing, 644 00:21:51,380 --> 00:21:55,260 their potential to harbor clues to ancient life on Mars. 645 00:21:55,260 --> 00:21:56,980 Wait, really? 646 00:21:56,980 --> 00:21:58,740 How could these little moons tell us 647 00:21:58,740 --> 00:22:01,580 about the possibility of life on Mars? 648 00:22:01,580 --> 00:22:04,340 I thought that was all about studying the Martian surface, 649 00:22:04,340 --> 00:22:07,180 drilling for fossils, and analyzing the soil. 650 00:22:07,180 --> 00:22:07,700 You're right. 651 00:22:07,700 --> 00:22:10,300 Those are all important avenues for investigating 652 00:22:10,300 --> 00:22:12,100 the potential for life on Mars. 653 00:22:12,100 --> 00:22:14,260 But remember, we discussed the possibility 654 00:22:14,260 --> 00:22:17,580 that Phobos and Deimos contain fragments of ancient Mars 655 00:22:17,580 --> 00:22:19,300 blasted off during impacts. 656 00:22:19,300 --> 00:22:20,780 Right, the cosmic time capsules. 657 00:22:20,780 --> 00:22:22,740 So you're saying that if those fragments came 658 00:22:22,740 --> 00:22:24,740 from the right place on Mars, they might contain 659 00:22:24,740 --> 00:22:26,020 evidence of past life? 660 00:22:26,020 --> 00:22:26,980 Exactly. 661 00:22:26,980 --> 00:22:29,460 Imagine if those impacts excavated material 662 00:22:29,460 --> 00:22:32,100 from deep within the Martian crust or even the mantle, 663 00:22:32,100 --> 00:22:34,980 where conditions might have been more favorable for life 664 00:22:34,980 --> 00:22:36,340 billions of years ago. 665 00:22:36,340 --> 00:22:39,060 So we could potentially find fossilized microbes, 666 00:22:39,060 --> 00:22:42,220 organic molecules, or other signs of ancient Martian life 667 00:22:42,220 --> 00:22:44,180 trapped within the rocks of Phobos. 668 00:22:44,180 --> 00:22:46,220 It's certainly a possibility and one 669 00:22:46,220 --> 00:22:48,940 that makes the MMX mission even more exciting. 670 00:22:48,940 --> 00:22:52,020 If those samples contain evidence of past life, 671 00:22:52,020 --> 00:22:54,260 it would be a monumental discovery, 672 00:22:54,260 --> 00:22:56,100 not just for our understanding of Mars, 673 00:22:56,100 --> 00:22:59,580 but for our understanding of life in the universe as a whole. 674 00:22:59,580 --> 00:23:02,500 It's incredible to think that these little moons, once 675 00:23:02,500 --> 00:23:04,660 thought to be just chunks of rock, 676 00:23:04,660 --> 00:23:07,500 could hold the key to answering one of humanity's biggest 677 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:09,020 questions. 678 00:23:09,020 --> 00:23:11,340 Are we alone in the cosmos? 679 00:23:11,340 --> 00:23:14,180 It really is a testament to the interconnectedness 680 00:23:14,180 --> 00:23:16,220 of everything in our solar system. 681 00:23:16,220 --> 00:23:19,020 These seemingly insignificant objects orbiting 682 00:23:19,020 --> 00:23:22,060 a distant planet could hold the answers to questions that 683 00:23:22,060 --> 00:23:23,860 have puzzled us for centuries. 684 00:23:23,860 --> 00:23:26,100 Before we wrap up this final part of our deep dive, 685 00:23:26,100 --> 00:23:28,100 is there anything else about Phobos and Deimos 686 00:23:28,100 --> 00:23:29,460 that you'd like to share with our listeners? 687 00:23:29,460 --> 00:23:31,060 Any final thoughts or insights that you 688 00:23:31,060 --> 00:23:33,780 think they should keep in mind as they continue to explore 689 00:23:33,780 --> 00:23:35,300 the wonders of the universe? 690 00:23:35,300 --> 00:23:37,220 I think the most important thing to remember 691 00:23:37,220 --> 00:23:40,540 is that exploration is a journey, not a destination. 692 00:23:40,540 --> 00:23:42,500 There's always something new to discover, 693 00:23:42,500 --> 00:23:43,860 something more to learn. 694 00:23:43,860 --> 00:23:46,340 Phobos and Deimos are just one small example 695 00:23:46,340 --> 00:23:48,420 of the incredible diversity and wonder that 696 00:23:48,420 --> 00:23:51,020 exists in our solar system and beyond. 697 00:23:51,020 --> 00:23:52,140 Well said. 698 00:23:52,140 --> 00:23:54,580 And I hope our deep dive into these Martian moons 699 00:23:54,580 --> 00:23:57,140 has inspired our listeners to keep looking up, 700 00:23:57,140 --> 00:23:59,540 keep asking questions, and never stop 701 00:23:59,540 --> 00:24:02,540 exploring the vast and mysterious universe we call home. 702 00:24:02,540 --> 00:24:03,780 Me too. 703 00:24:03,780 --> 00:24:06,380 And who knows what incredible discoveries await us 704 00:24:06,380 --> 00:24:08,100 just around the cosmic corner. 705 00:24:08,100 --> 00:24:10,300 Well, that brings us to the end of our deep dive 706 00:24:10,300 --> 00:24:13,060 into the mysteries of Phobos and Deimos. 707 00:24:13,060 --> 00:24:15,020 I hope you enjoyed this journey as much as I did. 708 00:24:15,020 --> 00:24:17,420 It was a pleasure sharing these fascinating moons 709 00:24:17,420 --> 00:24:18,860 with you and our listeners. 710 00:24:18,860 --> 00:24:20,180 And to all our listeners out there, 711 00:24:20,180 --> 00:24:22,660 thanks for joining us on this cosmic adventure. 712 00:24:22,660 --> 00:24:24,540 If you're eager for more space exploration, 713 00:24:24,540 --> 00:24:26,860 make sure to follow Cosmos in a Pod 714 00:24:26,860 --> 00:24:28,420 on your favorite podcast platform 715 00:24:28,420 --> 00:24:30,180 and subscribe to our YouTube channel. 716 00:24:30,180 --> 00:24:32,900 We've got a whole universe of stories waiting to be told. 717 00:24:32,900 --> 00:24:50,500 Until next time, keep looking up.