Abstract

A sixth degree and order spherical harmonic expansion was used to model the Phobos figure. This model appears to fit the entire surface to an accuracy of a few hundred meters, except in the region around the large crater Stickney. The model was validated using control points, limbs, terminators, map projections and predicted rotational properties. A for A forced libration amplitude of 0.81 ± 0.5 (1 σ) deg is predicted, matching the observed value of 0.79 deg which supports Phobos having a uniform density distribution to within the uncertainty of the prediction.

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