Tidal rigidity of Phobos

Abstract

A novel scenario is proposed in which the orbital eccentricity of Phobos results from several gravitational resonance excitations within the past one billion years, assuming that tidal friction in Phobos has had only a small effect on its orbit. Both the primordial eccentricity and inclination may have been much smaller than presently observed. Constraints imposed on tidal friction in Phobos by the apparent age of its surface, which is greater than one billion years, in addition to those of the gravitational resonance excitation scenario, can be satisfied only if the product of the rigidity and the Q factor is greater than 10 to the 12th dynes/sq cm. In view of the fact that the Q factor is only about 100, so that the rigidity must be greater than 10 to the 10th dynes/sq cm, Phobos should have substantial internal strength.