Our planet is a unique phenomenon compared to other objects in the solar system. This applies not only to gas giants, but also to neighboring rocky bodies. For example, solar eclipses occur on Mars, as on Earth. However, the eclipses captured by the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers on Mars are different from those observed on our planet.
This is reported by Science Alert.
The moons of Mars, Phobos (Fear) and Deimos (Horror), complete their orbit around the planet in 7.65 and 30.35 hours, respectively. These periods are significantly shorter than the 27-day orbital cycle of the Moon.
In addition, the moons of Mars are significantly smaller in size compared to the Moon, and their shape differs from the usual round disk that we see in our night sky.
Technically speaking, these are not eclipses like we see on Earth, but transits in which the star’s light is not completely blocked. When the imperfectly shaped moons of Mars pass between the Sun and observers on the Martian surface, they do not obscure the star as completely as the Moon does here on Earth.
Phobos has a more round shape, and during its passage across the solar disk it blocks up to 40% of the star’s light. Deimos is further away and smaller, which also blocks less light from the Sun.
Cursor previously reported that strange activity was recorded on Mars.
