ON EXOSPHERIC DRAG AS THE CAUSE OF THE SUPPOSED SECULAR ACCELERATIONS OF PHOBOS,
Abstract
A recent theory by Shklovskiy explained Phobos' supposed orbital accelerations by suggesting that it is an artificial satellite of Mars. Reasonable assumptions about the physical state of Mars' equatorial exosphere, however, lead to values of atmospheric density which could exert observable drag effects on Phobos, without it having to be a hollow sphere. It is further shown that a required correlation appears to exist between solar activity and reported values of the accelerations over a period of some 60 years. As long as reliable observational evidince remains scarce, the actual existence of orbital accelerations remains in doubt. Yet, because of the potential importance of the phenomenon to the study of planetary exospheres, future observations and analyses are emphatically necessary. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0426148
Entities
People
- G. F. Schilling
Organizations
- RAND Corporation