The Martian Moon Phobos Orbits near the Equatorial Plane of Mars

The Martian moon Phobos orbits near the equatorial plane of Mars in just over 7.5 hours in the same direction as the planet rotation.How then would you see Phobos move across the Martian sky from the surface of the planet?

A) Phobos would rise in the west, move rapidly across the sky, and set in the east, and it would do so only once per Martian day.
B) Phobos would rise in the east, move rapidly across the sky, set in the west, and appear several times per Martian day.
C) Phobos would remain almost stationary in the sky, in almost synchronous orbit, because its period is close to Mars's rotation period.
D) Phobos would rise in the west, move rapidly across the sky, set in the east, and appear several times per Martian day.

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free