Astrogeology Science Center
Publications
Exposure of an early to middle Noachian valley network in three dimensions on Mars
We document a set of channels in a section of the Martian cratered highlands located between crustal massifs northeast of Hellas Planitia that are visible in cross section and planview >200 m below the surface. The morphometry and spatial distribution of the outcrops provide concrete geological evidence of a dynamic aqueous system in a...
Skinner, James A.; Fortezzo, Corey M.; Mouginis-Mark, Peter J.
Geologic map of Jezero crater and the Nili Planum region, Mars
The cratered highlands located northwest of Isidis Planitia have been recognized as one of the best preserved Noachian landscapes currently exposed on Mars; the area hosts a record of diverse surface processes, diagenesis, and aqueous alteration. This region has consistently been considered a high priority for landed-mission exploration and...
Sun, Vivian Z.; Stack, Kathryn M. Planetary cave exploration progresses
Planetary caves have been identified on the Moon and on Mars, and are likely to occur across the Solar System. They present a new frontier for planetary science, subsurface astrobiology, geology and human exploration. The fourth in a series of scientific meetings focusing on the science and exploration of planetary caves brought together 55...
Titus, Timothy N.; Phillips-Lander, C. M.; Boston, P. J.; Wynne, J. J.; Kerber, L. Compositional layering in Io driven by magmatic segregation and volcanism
The compositional evolution of volcanic bodies like Io is not well understood. Magmatic segregation and volcanic eruptions transport tidal heat from Io's interior to its surface. Several observed eruptions appear to be extremely high temperature (≥ 1600 K), suggesting either very high degrees of melting, refractory source regions, or intensive...
Spencer, Dan C; Katz, Richard F.; Hewitt, Ian J.; May, David A.; Kestay, Laszlo P. Evaluating stereo DTM quality at Jezero Crater, Mars with HRSC, CTX, and HiRISE images
We have used a high-precision, high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) of the NASA Mars 2020 rover Perseverance landing site in Jezero crater based on mosaicked images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (MRO HiRISE) camera as a reference dataset to evaluate DTMs based on Mars Express High...
Kirk, Randolph L.; Fergason, Robin L.; Redding, Bonnie L.; Galuszka, Donna M.; Smith, Ethan; Mayer, David; Hare, Trent M.; Gwinner, Klaus Ancient Martian aeolian sand dune deposits recorded in the stratigraphy of Valles Marineris and implications for past climates
Aeolian sediment transport, deposition, and erosion have been ongoing throughout Mars's history. This record of widespread aeolian processes is preserved in landforms and geologic units that retain important clues about past environmental conditions including wind patterns. In this study we describe landforms within Melas Chasma, Valles Marineris...
Chojnacki, Matthew; Fenton, Lori K.; Weintraub, Aaron R; Edgar, Lauren A.; Jodhpurkar, Mohini Jeetendra; Edwards, Christopher S. A global shape model for Saturn's moon Enceladus from a dense photogrammetric control network
A planetary bodys global shape provides both insight into its geologic evolution, and a key element of any Planetary Spatial Data Infrastructure (PSDI). NASAs Cassini mission to Saturn acquired more than 600 moderate- to high-resolution images (< 500 m/pixel) of the small, geologically active moon Enceladus. The moons internal global ocean and...
Bland, Michael T.; Weller, Lynn A.; Mayer, David; Archinal, Brent Coordination of planetary coordinate system recommendations by the IAU Working Group on Cartographic Coordinates and Rotational Elements–2020 status and future
Our goal is to request input from the lunar and planetary community regarding issues of planetary coordinate systems and cartography standards. We begin with an overview of the work of the International Astronomical Union Working Group on Cartographic Coordinates and Rotational Elements. We briefly describe the operations and membership of the...
Archinal, Brent; Acton, C. H.; Conrad, A.; Duxbury, T.; Hestroffer, D.; Hilton, J. L.; Jorda, L.; Kirk, Randolph L.; Klioner, S. A.; Margot, J.-L.; Oberst, J.; Paganelli, F.; Ping, J.; Seidelmann, K.; Tholen, D. J.; Williams, I. P. Evidence for a diagenetic origin of Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale Crater, Mars: Summary and synthesis of Curiosity's exploration campaign
This paper provides an overview of the Curiosity rover's exploration at Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) and summarizes the science results. VRR is a distinct geomorphic feature on lower Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) that was identified in orbital data based on its distinct texture, topographic expression, and association with a...
Fraeman, Abigail A.; Edgar, Lauren A.; Rampe, Elizabeth B.; Thompson, Lucy M.; Frydenvang, Jens; Fedo, Christopher M.; Catalano, Jeff G.; Dietrich, William E.; Gabriel, Travis S. J.; Grotzinger, John P.; L'Haridon, Jonas; Mangold, Nicholas; Sun, Vivian Z.; House, Christopher H; Bryk, Alexander; Hardgrove, Craig; Czarnecki, Sean; Stack, Kathryn M.; Morris, Richard V.; Arvidson, Ray E.; Banham, Steve G.; Bennett, Kristen Alicia; Bridges, Jon C.; Edwards, Christopher S.; Fischer, Woodward W.; Fox, Valerie K.; Gupta, Sanjeev; Horgan, Briony H. N.; Jacob, Sammantha R.; Johnson, Jeffrey R.; Johnson, Sarah S.; Rubin, David R.; Salvatore, Mark R; Schwenzer, Susanne P.; Siebach, Kirsten L.; Stein, Nathan T.; Turner, Stuart; Wellington, Danika F.; Wiens, Roger C.; Williams, Amy J.; Davidson, G.A.; Wong, Gregory M. The chemostratigraphy of the Murray formation and role of diagenesis at Vera Rubin ridge in Gale crater, Mars, as observed by the ChemCam instrument
Geochemical results are presented from Curiosity’s exploration of the Vera Rubin ridge (VRR), in addition to the full chemostratigraphy of the predominantly lacustrine mudstone Murray formation up to and including VRR. VRR is a prominent ridge flanking Aeolis Mons (informally Mt. Sharp), the central mound in Gale crater, Mars, and was a key area...
Frydenvang, Jens; Mangold, Nicholas; Wiens, Roger C.; Fraeman, Abigail A.; Edgar, Lauren A.; Fedo, Christopher M.; L'Haridon, Jonas; Bedford, Candice C.; Gupta, Sanjeev; Grotzinger, John P.; Bridges, Jon C.; Clark, Ben C.; Rampe, Elizabeth B.; Gasnaut, Olivier; Maurice, Sylvestre; Gasda, Patrick J.; Lanza, Nina L.; Olilla, Ann M.; Meslin, Pierre-Yves; Payre, Valerie; Calef, Fred J.; Salvatore, Mark R; House, Christopher H Conceptual model for the removal of cold-trapped H2O ice on the Mars northern seasonal springtime polar cap
The transport of H2O ice along the retreating north polar seasonal CO2 ice cap has previously been modeled and observed. Spectral observations show that H2O ice forms on the interior of the seasonal cap, while thermal observations show these regions to be consistent with CO2 ice. Prior to the sublimation of the seasonal CO2, the observed...
Titus, Timothy N.; Williams, Kaj; Cushing, Glen E. Planetary science decadal survey planetary mission concept study report: Ceres: Exploration of Ceres’ habitability
Dwarf planet Ceres is a compelling target as an evolved ocean world with, at least, regional brine reservoirs and potentially ongoing geological activity. As the most water-rich body in the inner solar system (in relative abundance), it is a representative of the population of planetesimals that brought volatiles and organics to the inner solar...
Titus, Timothy N.; Castillo-Rogez, J. C.; Brody, John; Bland, Michael T.; Buczkowski, Debra; Grimm, Robert; Hendrix, A.; Miller, Kelly; Prettyman, Thomas; Quick, Lynnae; Raymond, Carol; Scully, Jennifer; Sori, Michael M.; Sekine, Yasuhito; Williams, David; Zolensky, Michael