A closer look at “Stickney Crater on Mars Moon Phobos: APOD Highlights Its Dominant Feature”, exactly as the source publishes it. NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for October 9, 2026 spotlights Stickney Crater, the largest impact crater on Mars' moon Phobos. Named after Chloe Angeline Stickney Hall, mathematician and wife of Phobos discoverer Asaph Hall, the crater spans about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) across—nearly half the diameter of the tiny moon itself. The featured image, likely captured by a Mars orbiter, reveals the crater's intricate details, including grooves and streaks on its walls that hint at the moon's violent history.
Stickney's formation nearly shattered Phobos, and its study helps scientists understand impact processes on small bodies and the evolution of the Martian system. As future missions to Phobos are planned, Stickney remains a prime target for exploration, offering clues about the moon's origin and the early solar system. For the complete material, the listing points back to the source inside the network.