Publications
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Astronomical optical interferometry from the lunar surface: High sensitivity at sub-miliarcsecond scales Astronomical optical interferometry from the lunar surface: High sensitivity at sub-miliarcsecond scales
The lunar surface is a compelling opportunity for large, distributed optical facilities, with significant advantages over orbital facilities for high spatial resolution astrophysics. Serious development of mission concepts is timely because of the confluence of multiple compelling factors. First, lunar access technology is maturing rapidly, in the form of both US uncrewed and crewed...
Authors
G. T. van Belle, T. Boyajian, M. Creech-Eakman, J. Elliott, K. Ennico-Smith, D. Hillsberry, K. Hubbard, T. Ito, S. R. Kulkarni, C. Langford, L. Lee, D. Leisawitz, E. Mamajek, May Martin, T. Matsuo, D. Mawet, J. Monnier, J. Morse, D. Mozurkewich, P. Niles, M. Panning, Lori M. Pigue, A. Sanghi, G. Schaefer, J. Scott, S. B. Shaklan, L. Spencer, A. Tohuvavohu, P. Tuthill, K. Valenta, J. Wachs
The pre-maria geologic history of the Imbrium basin preserved by remnant highlands massifs The pre-maria geologic history of the Imbrium basin preserved by remnant highlands massifs
The Imbrium basin is one of the largest and youngest impact basins on the Moon. It has experienced multiple phases of volcanism that filled the basin with basaltic lavas, obscuring most evidence of geologic activity prior to the emplacement of mare basalts. Elevated basin ring massifs, however, can retain some of that history due to their higher topographic elevation compared to the...
Authors
Ben D. Byron, Catherine M. Elder, Lori M. Pigue, Jean-Pierre Williams
Assessing lunar rare earth element resources Assessing lunar rare earth element resources
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are increasingly attracting attention globally due to their pivotal role in enhancing the performance of various hightech devices. Small amounts of these elements greatly improve the performance of materials, making magnets stronger, lenses clearer, lights brighter, batteries last longer, etc. Here we examine the notion that REEs from the Moon might compete...
Authors
Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, Lori M. Pigue, Kristen A. Bennett, Clive Neal, Joshua A. Coyan, Richard Elphic
On the importance of geological and geophysical lunar field work enabled by Artemis Base Camp On the importance of geological and geophysical lunar field work enabled by Artemis Base Camp
We report on six Findings related to the benefit of Artemis Base Camp (ABC) to lunar geoscience (Figure 1). These Findings are on the topics of 1) Repeat field site visits; 2) Geological experiments; 3) Satellite ABC campus(es); 4) Advanced lab equipment; 5) Frequent and resource-intensive EVAs; and 6) Geoscience STEM engagement. Lastly, we consider certain issues and caveats meriting...
Authors
K. Runyon, S. Buxner, K. Crane, C. Crow, A. Douglass, Lauren A. Edgar, D. Eppler, J.M. Hurtado, K. Rubins, M. Wagner
The first instrumentally detected hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park The first instrumentally detected hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park
Hydrothermal explosions are one of the geological hazards most likely to impact people in Yellowstone National Park, but their frequency is poorly known. Infrasound and seismic sensors identified an explosion in Norris Geyser Basin on 15 April 2024, at 14:56 MDT (20:56 UTC)—the first instrumentally detected hydrothermal explosion in the Yellowstone region. The event affected an area tens...
Authors
Michael Poland, Alexandra M. Iezzi, Jamie Farrell, R. Greg Vaughan
Countdown to Apophis close approach—Cascading hazards from asteroid impacts Countdown to Apophis close approach—Cascading hazards from asteroid impacts
Introduction Apophis (officially 99942 Apophis, pronounced “uh-PAW-fiss”) is a Near-Earth Object. Primarily composed of the materials that make up the leftover building blocks of the solar system, Near-Earth Objects are small solar system bodies in an orbit around the Sun that brings them close to the Earth. Apophis has been classified as a “potentially hazardous object,” a Near-Earth...
Authors
Tim Titus, Lori Pigue, Lucienne Morton
Paleo-scours within the layered sulfate-bearing unit at Gale crater, Mars: Evidence for intense wind erosion Paleo-scours within the layered sulfate-bearing unit at Gale crater, Mars: Evidence for intense wind erosion
The surface of modern Mars is largely shaped by wind, but the influence of past wind activity is less well constrained. Sedimentary rocks exposed in the lower foothills of Aeolis Mons, the central mound within Gale crater, record a transition from predominantly lacustrine deposition in the Murray formation to aeolian deposition in the Mirador formation. Here, we report a series of...
Authors
A.L. Roberts, S. Gupta, S.G. Banhan, A. Cowart, Lauren A. Edgar, W. Rapin, W.E. Dietrich, E.S. Kite, J.M. Davis, G. Caravaca, C.A. Mondro, P.J. Gasda, J.R. Johnson, Stéphane Le Mouélic, D.M. Fey, A.B. Bryk, G. Paar, R.A. Harris, A. Fraeman, A.R. Vasavada
Properties of new flows indicate that Martian gullies form via CO2 frost-fluidization processes Properties of new flows indicate that Martian gullies form via CO2 frost-fluidization processes
Martian gully landforms are widely seen as evidence of liquid water, often attributed to snowmelt during high-obliquity periods within the last few million years. However, widespread present-day flows within existing gullies are caused by CO2 frost, presenting an alternative formation mechanism. Entrained frost vapourizes to fluidize flows, allowing them to behave similarly to wet debris...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Susan J. Conway, Kelly Pasquon, Axel Noblet, Lonneke Roelofs
Geomorphological evidence of near-surface ice at candidate landing sites in northern Amazonis Planitia, Mars Geomorphological evidence of near-surface ice at candidate landing sites in northern Amazonis Planitia, Mars
This work presents geomorphological analyses of an area at the boundary between Arcadia Planitia and northern Amazonis Planitia, situated in the northern mid-latitudes of Mars. Recent studies have indicated the presence of substantial volumes of near-surface excess ice in Arcadia Planitia, making this region a promising candidate for future human and robotic exploration. This study...
Authors
Erica Luzzi, Jennifer L. Heldmann, Kaj E. Williams, Giacomo Nodjoumi, Ariel Deutsch, Alexander Sehlke
U.S. Geological Survey 2024 Rocky Mountain Region Science Exchange—Showcasing cutting-edge science to adapt to extreme weather events and stakeholder needs U.S. Geological Survey 2024 Rocky Mountain Region Science Exchange—Showcasing cutting-edge science to adapt to extreme weather events and stakeholder needs
Introduction The Rocky Mountains and the Colorado River Basin in the Western United States are complex, interconnected systems that sustain a large variety of species, including tens of millions of humans. These regions face risks from drought, wildfires, invasive plant and animal species, and habitat reduction. Working with many stakeholders, scientists can help to characterize these...
Authors
William J. Andrews, Timothy N. Titus, Lauren Ellissa Eng, Kristine L. Zellman, Patrick J. Anderson, Jeremy C. Havens
From hydrated silica to quartz: Potential hydrothermal precipitates found in Jezero crater, Mars From hydrated silica to quartz: Potential hydrothermal precipitates found in Jezero crater, Mars
On Earth, silica-rich phases from opal to quartz are important indicators and tracers of geological processes. Hydrated silica, such as opal, is a particularly good matrix for the preservation of molecular and macroscopic biosignatures. Cherts, a type of silica-dominated rocks, provide a unique archive of ancient terrestrial life while quartz is the emblematic mineral of the Earth's...
Authors
P.S.A. Beck, O. Beyssac, E. Dehouck, S. Bernard, M. Pineau, L. Mandon, C. Royer, Elise Clavé, Susanne Schröder, O. Forni, R. Francis, N. Mangold, C. Bedford, A. Broz, E. A. Cloutis, J.R. Johnson, F. Poulet, T. Fouchet, C. Quantin-Nataf, C. Pilorget, W. Rapin, P.-Y. Meslin, Travis S.J. Gabriel, G. Arana, J.M. Madariaga, A.J. Brown, S. Maurice, S. M. Clegg, Olivier Gasnault, A. Cousin, R. C. Wiens, The SuperCam Team
Characterizing Meteor Crater impact melts through geochemistry and textural analysis Characterizing Meteor Crater impact melts through geochemistry and textural analysis
The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center houses the Meteor Crater sample collection, an assemblage of over 2,500 meters of cuttings from 161 drill holes into Meteor Crater’s rim, flanks, and ejecta blanket. We have utilized this unique collection to study the composition and spatial distribution of impact-generated materials from within the ejecta blanket. Meteor Crater has
Authors
Amber L. Gullikson, Tenielle A. Gaither, Justin Hagerty