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Mars is orbited by two satellites, both believed to be captured asteroids. This is because of both Mars' proximity to the Asteroid Belt and their small sizes and irregular shapes. The table below provides some information on their dimensions and orbital characteristics (Illingworth, 1994).
| Satellite | Year of Discovery | Diameter (Km) | Orbital Radius (Km) | Eccentricity | Orbital Period (days) | Inclination (°) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phobos | 1877 | 27 ´ 22 ´ 19 | 9 380 | 0.015 | 0.32 | 1.0 |
| Deimos | 1877 | 15 ´ 12 ´ 11 | 23 460 | 0.001 | 1.26 | 1.8 |