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The Planetary Report • July/August 1983
Asteroids
On the Cover: Phobos, the larger of the two Martian moons, may be an asteroid captured by the planet's gravity. It is only about 20 kilometers in diameter and is very dark, suggesting that it ay be related to the C-type (carbonaceous) asteroids. The grooves that score the surface may have been generated in an ancient impact with a smaller asteroid that punched the end of Phobos, excavating the crater Stickney.
Features
4 Expeditions to the Asteroids: Louis Friedman and Carl Sagan discuss the feasibility of an asteroid rendezvous mission.
6 Asteroids: Richard Greenberg describes the origins and types of asteroids found in our solar system.
9 European Missions to Asteroids: André Brahic presents Europe's ideas for asteroid missions.
14 The Origin and Composition of Near-Earth Asteroids: Lucy McFadden looks at asteroids passing through our region of the solar system, between Earth and Mars.
16 The Lunar and Planetary Science Conference: Bevan M. French reports back from this annual gathering of planetary scientists in Houston, Texas.
18 A Talk with Roald Sagdeev: Louis Friedman chats with the newest member of The Planetary Society's Board of Advisors.
Departments
18 World Watch Congressional support for the Venus Radar Mapper mission.
21 News & Reviews Things are looking up for planetary science in NASA's budget!
22 Society Notes Results of our 1982 audit.
The Planetary Report • July/August 1983
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