Publications
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Summary and abstracts of the Planetary Data Workshop, June 2012 Summary and abstracts of the Planetary Data Workshop, June 2012
The recent boom in the volume of digital data returned by international planetary science missions continues to both delight and confound users of those data. In just the past decade, the Planetary Data System (PDS), NASA’s official archive of scientific results from U.S. planetary missions, has seen a nearly 50-fold increase in the amount of data and now serves nearly half a petabyte...
Authors
Lisa R. Gaddis, Trent M. Hare, Ross Beyer
Vesta surface thermal properties map Vesta surface thermal properties map
The first ever regional thermal properties map of Vesta has been derived from the temperatures retrieved by infrared data by the mission Dawn. The low average value of thermal inertia, 30 ± 10 J m−2 s−0.5 K−1, indicates a surface covered by a fine regolith. A range of thermal inertia values suggesting terrains with different physical properties has been determined. The lower thermal...
Authors
Maria Teresa Capria, F. Tosi, Maria Cristina De Santis, F. Capaccioni, E. Ammannito, A. Frigeri, F Zambon, S. Fonte, E. Palomba, D. Turrini, T.N. Titus, S.E. Schroder, M.J. Toplis, J.Y. Liu, J. #NAME? Combe, C.A. Raymond, C.T. Russell
Thermal behavior and ice-table depth within the north polar erg of Mars Thermal behavior and ice-table depth within the north polar erg of Mars
We fully resolve a long-standing thermal discrepancy concerning the north polar erg of Mars. Several recent studies have shown that the erg’s thermal properties are consistent with normal basaltic sand overlying shallow ground ice or ice-cemented sand. Our findings bolster that conclusion by thoroughly characterizing the thermal behavior of the erg, demonstrating that other likely forms...
Authors
Nathaniel E. Putzig, Michael T. Mellon, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Roger J. Phillips, Brian J. Davis, Kenneth J. Ewer, Lauren M. Bowers
Igneous mineralogy at Bradbury Rise: the first ChemCam campaign at Gale crater Igneous mineralogy at Bradbury Rise: the first ChemCam campaign at Gale crater
Textural and compositional analyses using ChemCam Remote Micro Imager (RMI) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) have been performed on 5 float rocks and coarse gravels along the first 100 meters of the Curiosity traverse at Bradbury rise. ChemCam, the first LIBS instrument sent to another planet, offers the opportunity to assess mineralogic diversity at grain-size scales (...
Authors
V. Sautter, C. Fabre, O. Forni, M.J. Toplis, A. Cousin, A.M. Ollila, P.-Y. Meslin, S. Maurice, R. C. Wiens, D. Baratoux, N. Mangold, S. Le Mouélic, O. Gasnault, G. Berger, J. Lasue, R.A. Anderson, E. Lewin, M. Schmidt, D. Dyar, B.L. Ehlmann, J. Bridges, B. Clark, P. Pinet
Recurring slope lineae in equatorial regions of Mars Recurring slope lineae in equatorial regions of Mars
The presence of liquid water is a requirement of habitability on a planet. Possible indicators of liquid surface water on Mars include intermittent flow-like features observed on sloping terrains. These recurring slope lineae are narrow, dark markings on steep slopes that appear and incrementally lengthen during warm seasons on low-albedo surfaces. The lineae fade in cooler seasons and...
Authors
Alfred S. McEwen, Colin M. Dundas, Sarah S. Mattson, Anthony D. Toigo, Lujendra Ojha, James J. Wray, Matthew Chojnacki, Shane Byrne, Scott L. Murchie, Nicolas Thomas
Volatile and organic compositions of sedimentary rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars Volatile and organic compositions of sedimentary rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars
H2O, CO2, SO2, O2, H2, H2S, HCl, chlorinated hydrocarbons, NO, and other trace gases were evolved during pyrolysis of two mudstone samples acquired by the Curiosity rover at Yellowknife Bay within Gale crater, Mars. H2O/OH-bearing phases included 2:1 phyllosilicate(s), bassanite, akaganeite, and amorphous materials. Thermal decomposition of carbonates and combustion of organic materials...
Authors
D. W. Ming, P.D. Archer, D.P. Glavin, J.L. Eigenbrode, H.B. Franz, B. Sutter, A.E. Brunner, J. C. Stern, C. Freissinet, A.C. McAdam, P.R. Mahaffy, M. Cabane, P. Coll, J.L. Campbell, S.K. Atreya, P.B. Niles, J.F. Bell, D.L. Bish, W.B. Brinckerhoff, A. Buch, P.G. Conrad, D.J. Des Marais, B.L. Ehlmann, A.G. Fairén, K. Farley, G.J. Flesch, P. Francois, Ralf Gellert, J. A. Grant, J.P. Grotzinger, S. Gupta, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, J.A. Hurowitz, L.A. Leshin, K.W. Lewis, S. M. McLennan, Karl E. Miller, J. Moersch, R.V. Morris, R. Navarro- González, A.A. Pavlov, G.M. Perrett, I. Pradler, S. W. Squyres, Roger E. Summons, A. Steele, E.M. Stolper, D.Y. Sumner, C. Szopa, S. Teinturier, M.G. Trainer, A.H. Treiman, D. T. Vaniman, A.R. Vasavada, C.R. Webster, J.J. Wray, R.A. Yingst
Trace element geochemistry (Li, Ba, Sr, and Rb) using Curiosity's ChemCam: early results for Gale crater from Bradbury Landing Site to Rocknest Trace element geochemistry (Li, Ba, Sr, and Rb) using Curiosity's ChemCam: early results for Gale crater from Bradbury Landing Site to Rocknest
The ChemCam instrument package on the Mars rover, Curiosity, provides new capabilities to probe the abundances of certain trace elements in the rocks and soils on Mars using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique. We focus on detecting and quantifying Li, Ba, Rb, and Sr in targets analyzed during the first 100 sols, from Bradbury Landing Site to Rocknest. Univariate peak area...
Authors
Ann M. Ollila, Horton E. Newsom, Benton Clark, Roger C. Wiens, Agnes Cousin, Jen G. Blank, Nicolas Mangold, Violaine Sautter, Sylvestre Maurice, Samuel M. Clegg, Olivier Gasnault, Olivier Forni, Robert Tokar, Eric Lewin, M. Darby Dyar, Jeremie Lasue, Ryan Anderson, Scott M. McLennan, John Bridges, Dave Vaniman, Nina Lanza, Cecile Fabre, Noureddine Melikechi, Glynis M. Perett, John L. Campbell, Penelope L. King, Bruce Barraclough, Dorothea Delapp, Stephen Johnstone, Pierre-Yves Meslin, Anya Rosen-Gooding, Josh Williams
Ancient aqueous environments at Endeavour crater, Mars Ancient aqueous environments at Endeavour crater, Mars
Opportunity has investigated in detail rocks on the rim of the Noachian age Endeavour crater, where orbital spectral reflectance signatures indicate the presence of Fe+3-rich smectites. The signatures are associated with fine-grained, layered rocks containing spherules of diagenetic or impact origin. The layered rocks are overlain by breccias, and both units are cut by calcium sulfate...
Authors
R. E. Arvidson, S. W. Squyres, J.F. Bell, J.G. Catalano, B. C. Clark, L.S. Crumpler, P.A. de Souza, A.G. Fairén, W. H. Farrand, V.K. Fox, Ralf Gellert, A. Ghosh, M.P. Golombeck, J.P. Grotzinger, E.A. Guinness, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, B.L. Jolliff, A.H. Knoll, R. Li, S. M. McLennan, D. W. Ming, D. W. Mittlefehldt, Johnnie N. Moore, R.V. Morris, S.L. Murchie, T. J. Parker, G. Paulsen, J.W. Rice, S. W. Ruff, M. D. Smith, M.J. Wolff
The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater: Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater: Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest
Ventifacts, rocks abraded by wind-borne particles, are found in Gale Crater, Mars. In the eastward drive from “Bradbury Landing” to “Rocknest,” they account for about half of the float and outcrop seen by Curiosity's cameras. Many are faceted and exhibit abrasion textures found at a range of scales, from submillimeter lineations to centimeter-scale facets, scallops, flutes, and grooves...
Authors
N.T. Bridges, F.J. Calef, B.W. Hallett, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, N.L. Lanza, S. Le Mouélic, C.E. Newman, D.L. Blaney, de Pablo, G.A. Kocurek, Y. Langevin, K.W. Lewis, N. Mangold, S. Maurice, P.-Y. Meslin, P. Pinet, N.O. Renno, CM.S. Rice, M.E. Richardson, V. Sautter, R.S. Sletten, R. C. Wiens, R.A. Yingst
The case for a modern multiwavelength, polarization-sensitive LIDAR in orbit around Mars The case for a modern multiwavelength, polarization-sensitive LIDAR in orbit around Mars
We present the scientific case to build a multiple-wavelength, active, near-infrared (NIR) instrument to measure the reflected intensity and polarization characteristics of backscattered radiation from planetary surfaces and atmospheres. We focus on the ability of such an instrument to enhance, perhaps revolutionize, our understanding of climate, volatiles and astrobiological potential...
Authors
Adrian J. Brown, Timothy I. Michaels, Shane Byrne, Wenbo Sun, Timothy N. Titus, Anthony Colaprete, Michael J. Wolff, Gorden Videen, Christian J. Grund
Component geochronology in the polyphase ca. 3920 Ma Acasta Gneiss Component geochronology in the polyphase ca. 3920 Ma Acasta Gneiss
The oldest compiled U–Pb zircon ages for the Acasta Gneiss Complex in the Northwest Territories of Canada span about 4050–3850 Ma; yet older ca. 4200 Ma xenocrystic U–Pb zircon ages have also been reported for this terrane. The AGC expresses at least 25 km2 of outcrop exposure, but only a small subset of this has been documented in the detail required to investigate a complex history and...
Authors
Stephen J. Mojzsis, Nicole L. Cates, Guillaume Caro, Dustin Trail, Oleg Abramov, Martin Guitreau, Janne Blichert-Toft, Michelle D. Hopkins, Wouter Bleeker
Widespread loess-like deposit in the Martian northern lowlands identifies Middle Amazonian climate change Widespread loess-like deposit in the Martian northern lowlands identifies Middle Amazonian climate change
Consistently mappable units critical to distinguishing the style and interplay of geologic processes through time are sparse in the Martian lowlands. This study identifies a previously unmapped Middle Amazonian (ca. 1 Ga) unit (Middle Amazonian lowland unit, mAl) that postdates the Late Hesperian and Early Amazonian lowland plains by >2 b.y. The unit is regionally defined by subtle...
Authors
James A. Skinner, Kenneth L. Tanaka, Thomas Platz