Abstract
It was Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) who first predicted the existence of two satellites of Mars. In 1611 he misinterpreted an anagram by Galilei concerning Saturn as the announcement of Martian satellites: “Be greeted, double knob, children of Mars.” Based on numerological arguments, he also noted that it seemed to him quite probable that Mars had two companions, since Mars orbits between Earth — a planet with one moon — and Jupiter, a planet with (at that time) four known moons.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
(2010). The Satellites of Mars. In: Solar System Moons. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68853-2_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68853-2_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-68852-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-68853-2
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)