Eerie glimpse of The Moon deimos captured from Mars' surface

Phobos revolves closer to Mars than any other moon of the solar system. Its orbit is decreasing annually. Scientists forecast that it will eventually disintegrate. When this occurs, Mars could acquire a tenuous ring around its equator. Deimos is safe at its distance, however. But even so, its fate is uncertain. Researchers don't yet know where it originally came from and where it's going.

Deimos sparkles softly in a sky brushed with pre-dawn lilacs and mauves. (Image: NASA)

What the Lonely Robot Saw

This is a haunting image of Deimos, but it's more than just lovely. It's part of a bigger scientific picture. Pictures like this assist scientists in learning what Mars was like in the past. Pictures like this also uncover new evidence about the tiny, unusual moons of the planet. Although the photo may appear uncomplicated, it is part of a complicated inquiry.

Mars can look deserted, but it has its tales. Some are inscribed in dust storms and crater walls. Others are seen in the still blink of a moonlight photograph. And although Perseverance is alone to witness them, it continues to gather moments—silent, forbearing, and full of significance.

In the Martian dawn's stillness, time moved more slowly. The Jezero Crater slumbered, shrouded in gentle shadows. No crowds or mayhem—only one machine, alert and vigilant. At precisely 4:27am local time on 1 March 2025, NASA's Perseverance rover angled its camera upwards. In the chilly darkness, it recorded an uncommon sight—Mars' distant moon Deimos, shining softly like a star.

The image was taken by the left navigation camera on the rover. It gazed up beyond the Martian horizon for 52 seconds. Long enough to see the moon, even though it is small. Only 16 kilometres across, Deimos is smaller than a city. It is located about 20,000 kilometres above Mars, too small to make much shadow but bright enough to glow in Perseverance's sight.

The Moon That Watches From Afar

Mars has two moons named Phobos and Deimos. They're both named after the sons of Ares, the Greek god of war. The Roman god of war, of course, is Mars. Phobos means fear, and Deimos represents dread. They're not smooth and spherical like moons we find orbiting other planets. Their forms are jagged and irregular, more like floating space spuds.

Phobos revolves closer to Mars than any other moon of the Solar System. Its orbit is decreasing annually. Scientists forecast that it will eventually disintegrate. When this occurs, Mars could acquire a tenuous ring around its equator. Deimos is safe at its distance, however. But even so, its fate is uncertain. Researchers don't yet know where it originally came from and where it's going.

What the Lonely Robot Saw

This is a haunting image of Deimos, but it's more than just lovely. It's part of a bigger scientific picture. Pictures like this assist scientists in learning what Mars was like in the past. Pictures like this also uncover new evidence about the tiny, unusual moons of the planet. Although the photo may appear uncomplicated, it is part of a complicated inquiry.

Mars can look deserted, but it has its tales. Some are inscribed in dust storms and crater walls. Others are seen in the still blink of a moonlight photograph. And although Perseverance is alone to witness them, it continues to gather moments—silent, forbearing, and full of significance.