Mars
Mars
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center is very active in Mars research, geology, cartography and mission support. Visit the links to the right to learn more about the team's work on the red planet.
Filter Total Items: 28
Surface - Atmosphere interaction
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on the interaction between planetary surfaces and the overlying atmospheres. In particular, the transfer of momentum (from wind), vapor (evaporation/sublimation), liquid (rainfall, percolation, infiltration) and solids (snow) occurs between surfaces and atmospheres.
Planetary Volatiles: Snow and Ice
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on planetary volatiles. Volatiles include substances that have a high vapor pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere. We study the longevity, locations and other characteristics of volatiles. More specifically: H2O ice, snow and frost are volatiles on the Earth. We study the persistence of perennial snowfields in Colorado and Mongolia. Mars...
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center (ASC) recently established the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program. This service-oriented program is built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration, and that ASC is in a unique position in northern Arizona with...
SP Recession
TES Observations of the South Pole T.N. Titus (Oak Ridge Associated Universities), H.H. Kieffer, K.F. Mullins (U.S. Geological Survey) he recession of the south polar cap has been observed telescopically and from spacecraft in both the visible and thermal regions. Although a simple cap-edge versus time plot has commonly been used, without regard as to the longitude of measurement, Mariner 9...
SP Cryptic Region
Kieffer, H.H., Titus, T.N., Mullins, K.F., Becker, K., Johnson, J., Christensen, P. The early part of the Mars Global Surveyor mission provided good TES coverage of the Mars south polar region.
South Pole
Jets on Mars Nature, August 2006. CO 2 Jets on Mars: Scientists have now found a better explanation for the dark spots and fans found on the south polar region of Mars. These spots, which can cover tens of square kilometers, are visible in the cryptic region. Originally, it was suggested that the spots were soil, exposed after early defrosting of the polar ice. However, an intensive new study with...
All About Ice
Why Study Ice on Mars? On Earth, there’s a plethora of variables driving environmental change, from natural processes to the activities of humans. While Mars is most similar to Earth of all the known extraterrestrial worlds, its climate is still extremely different from our watery abode. The recent discovery of ice on the red planet’s surface has given us a new climate driver to study...
Consortium Meetings
Consortium Meetings Consortium hosted meetings will be listed below. If you would like to attend any of these meetings, please be sure to register. Should your plans change after you register, you may simply reregister with your changes detailed appropriately. Please follow these links to view summaries of past consortium hosted workshops.
Mars Ice
The Mars-Ice project is a joint project between the USGS Astrogeology Research Program (Flagstaff, AZ) and the Arizona State University Mars Space Flight Facilty (Tempe, AZ) to bring together a single resource for the exploration of martian ices. Much of this research is done at the USGS Flagstaff Science Center.
