Posted on Jan 25, 2026
APOD: 2026 January 25 – Phobos: Doomed Moon of Mars
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Good morning, Rallypoint, and welcome to the January 25, 2026 edition of Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).
We jump in the way-back machine for this 2008 image of Phobos, one of the two moons orbiting the planet Mars. The photo was captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Unlike our Moon (which orbits some 250,000 miles from Earth), the orbit of Phobos is only 3,600 miles from the Martian surface.
Why is Phobos doomed? Researchers think that due to its low orbit, gravitational forces will eventually cause this Martian satellite to disintegrate into a ring of debris...in about 50 million years.
We jump in the way-back machine for this 2008 image of Phobos, one of the two moons orbiting the planet Mars. The photo was captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Unlike our Moon (which orbits some 250,000 miles from Earth), the orbit of Phobos is only 3,600 miles from the Martian surface.
Why is Phobos doomed? Researchers think that due to its low orbit, gravitational forces will eventually cause this Martian satellite to disintegrate into a ring of debris...in about 50 million years.
APOD: 2026 January 25 – Phobos: Doomed Moon of Mars
Posted from apod.nasa.gov
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Posted 1 d ago
Responses: 4
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Doomed in fifty million years...I think that is a worry we can safely put off until tomorrow.
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Maj William W. 'Bill' Price I wonder when the human mind will be able to explain the vast existence of such wonders that go on for dimensions, galaxies, universes, atmospheres, worlds, solar systems. I cannot see a "big boom" that specifically creative or inventive. The wonders we are beholding above and beyond Earth are divine to say the least.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
PO3 Phyllis Maynard Maj William W. 'Bill' Price I believe I am thinking about John Glenn or Alan Shepard 1961 or it around the Earth . And Catherine Johnson was the African American woman mathematician (computer) who verified the computer (computer) was bringing him back to Earth safely.
John Glenn is the astronaut who requested that NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson verify the computer-calculated trajectory for his 1962 Friendship 7 mission, famously stating, "If she says they're good, then I am ready to go".
The Astronaut: John Glenn.
The "Computer": Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematician at NASA.
The Context: Before the first U.S. orbital flight in 1962, Glenn distrusted the new electronic computers and asked Johnson to manually re-verify the orbital calculations to ensure a safe return.
Significance: Her verification was critical for the mission's success, notes this Facebook post. She also calculated trajectories for Alan Shepard's 1961 flight and later missions.
Johnson's work was highlighted in the 2016 book and film Hidden Figures.
John Glenn is the astronaut who requested that NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson verify the computer-calculated trajectory for his 1962 Friendship 7 mission, famously stating, "If she says they're good, then I am ready to go".
The Astronaut: John Glenn.
The "Computer": Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematician at NASA.
The Context: Before the first U.S. orbital flight in 1962, Glenn distrusted the new electronic computers and asked Johnson to manually re-verify the orbital calculations to ensure a safe return.
Significance: Her verification was critical for the mission's success, notes this Facebook post. She also calculated trajectories for Alan Shepard's 1961 flight and later missions.
Johnson's work was highlighted in the 2016 book and film Hidden Figures.
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Maj William W. 'Bill' Price
PO3 Phyllis Maynard - No argument here on mankind's disobedience (see the Garden of Eden). Can a desire to explore the unknown lead to sin? I would say that a desire for any good can be corrupted and lead to sin. Perhaps human space exploration is analogous to the Tower of Babel. That is a comparison that I had not considered before now.
I will say that a believer already knows that this world is not our eternal home...that exists beyond both space and time. Yet the yearning for that eternal home was placed in our hearts for a reason, and manifests itself in many ways. Seeking what is unknown is one of them. Wanting to be close to a departed loved one is another. Doesn't Psalms 19:1 suggest something of an attraction to the works of a Creator and a desire to see that creation through his eyes to the extent we are able? It seems to me that our ability to explore space is a way for us to do that.
To Katherine Johnson: she also part of the team (along with Jack Garman) who helped ensure the success of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. I am glad that her story continues to reach a larger audience, and hope she continues to be a continued inspiration for the next generation.
I will say that a believer already knows that this world is not our eternal home...that exists beyond both space and time. Yet the yearning for that eternal home was placed in our hearts for a reason, and manifests itself in many ways. Seeking what is unknown is one of them. Wanting to be close to a departed loved one is another. Doesn't Psalms 19:1 suggest something of an attraction to the works of a Creator and a desire to see that creation through his eyes to the extent we are able? It seems to me that our ability to explore space is a way for us to do that.
To Katherine Johnson: she also part of the team (along with Jack Garman) who helped ensure the success of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. I am glad that her story continues to reach a larger audience, and hope she continues to be a continued inspiration for the next generation.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
Maj William W. 'Bill' Price it is a wonderful thing to explore the thoughts of others. I did not think about space exploration being a vehicle to see what the eyes of GOD sees, until now. The Late Catherine Johnson's home is about 2 hours from me. I did not know of her contributions to science, mathematics, or mankind until the twilight of her life. She died the next year, as I had gotten close to how to reach her. Her team was an example of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) before it was named.
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Maj William W. 'Bill' Price
PO3 Phyllis Maynard It is also a wonderful thing to be willing to explore the thoughts of others. Thank you for the exchange.
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Im gonna start a "Save Phobos" charity. Maybe in 50 million years I'll have a buck or two.
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