What is the name of the two small moon orbiting Mars discovered by American Asaph Hall in 1877?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Phobos and Deimos.
The two small moons orbiting Mars, discovered by American astronomer Asaph Hall in 1877, are Phobos and Deimos. Named after figures from Greek mythology, Phobos (fear) and Deimos (panic) were companions of Ares, the Greek counterpart of Mars. These irregularly shaped moons are believed to be captured asteroids from the asteroid belt. Phobos, the larger moon, orbits closer to Mars and is slowly moving towards it, while Deimos has a more distant and stable orbit.