Why weren’t Deimos or Phobos Shown in The Martian?

The film The Martian by Ridley Scott managed to craft an enthralling narrative while keeping the runtime above two hours. However, certain aspects of the story were adapted for pacing, making some details, including the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, seem somewhat diminished. This article delves into the reasoning behind their omission and explores the scientific realities behind these celestial bodies.

Adaptation and Narrative Choices in The Martian

The choice to include Phobos in the film as a pan-down shot, where the protagonist Ares 3 crew member Mark Watney identifies the moon by its relation to Sol, was a significant decision. This shot adds a unique visual element and gives viewers a fleeting glimpse of the Martian environment. However, despite the positive contribution of this shot, other celestial elements were left out for the sake of narrative clarity and runtime constraints.

A Missed Opportunity

Mark Watney’s journey to and from Mars involves a series of critical decisions that require dead reckoning and unconventional navigation methods. Had the film chosen to include a scene depicting Watney using a homemade sextant to track the position of Phobos or Deimos, it would have added depth to his character and could have provided an intriguing tech demo for viewers. However, such sequences were likely discarded in the interest of maintaining story coherence and pacing.

While the adaptors of The Martian would have been thrilled to see a twelve-hour mini-series that explores the novel more intimately, it is understandable that the two-hour movie version took certain liberties to ensure a flowing and engaging narrative. The omission of Phobos and Deimos, although a missed opportunity for visual and narrative richness, still resulted in an overall compelling film.

Scientific Realities of Phobos and Deimos

NASA and other space agencies are seldom concerned with the intricate details of Phobos and Deimos in their day-to-day operations concerning Mars. This lack of interest can be attributed to several scientific reasons.

Hollow Structure of Phobos

Phobos, one of Mars’ moons, is inscribed in its history as a celestial body with a highly unusual characteristic: it is hollow. This fact is often dismissed or downplayed, leading to misleading claims. According to some theories, the formation of Phobos as a hollow object suggests that it was not a natural product of geological processes or an exploded planet. Instead, it is hypothesized that it could have been hollowed out by intelligent life forms before being repurposed for geographical or industrial purposes.

NASA’s depiction of Phobos as porous or made of pumice is a standard response to such inquiries, but such claims are often rebutted by the scientific community. The hollow structure of Phobos resists the typical formation processes and raises questions about its origins, adding a fascinating layer of speculation and debate in the realms of astronomy and astrophysics.

The Importance of Detail and Mental Focus in Space Exploration

In the context of space travel and exploration, every decision must be carefully considered to ensure the mission’s success. A spacecraft has limited resources, and details like the exact location and timing of celestial alignments must be meticulously planned. This involves a balance between scientific accuracy and narrative simplicity, which is particularly challenging in the context of the narrative of a film.

The inclusion of Phobos or Deimos for tracking purposes would have required a detailed explanation and setup, potentially derailing the narrative momentum. Instead, the film focused on Mark Watney’s survival and his resourcefulness. The depiction of Phobos in the final shot, although brief, serves as a testament to the accuracy required in realistic space narratives.

Conclusion

While the film The Martian makes significant sacrifices to maintain its runtime, the choice to include Phobos in a pan shot adds a memorable touch to the film. The scientific realities of Phobos and Deimos, including its hollow structure, continue to fascinate researchers and science enthusiasts alike. Future missions to Mars may uncover more about these enigmatic moons and their role in the exploration of the Red Planet.