Publications
Filter Total Items: 959
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, E. Clave, S. Schroder, 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, O. 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
Pediment formation and subsequent erosion in Gale crater: Clues to the climate history of Mars Pediment formation and subsequent erosion in Gale crater: Clues to the climate history of Mars
Evidence of paleo-rivers, fans, deltas, lakes, and channel networks across Mars has prompted much debate about what climate conditions would permit the formation of these surface water derived features. Pediments, gently sloping erosional surfaces of low relief developed in bedrock, have also been identified on Mars. On Earth, these erosional landforms, often thought to be created by...
Authors
A.B. Bryk, W.E. Dietrich, Kristen A. Bennett, V.K. Fox, C.M. Fedo, M.P. Lamb, E.S. Kite, L.M. Thompson, S. G. Banham, J. Schieber, J.A. Grant, A.R. Vasavada, A.A. Fraeman, Lauren A. Edgar, P. J. Gasda, R.C. Wiens, J.P. Grotzinger, K. Stack-Morgan, R.E. Arvidson, O. Gasnault, S. Le Mouelic, S. Gupta, R.M.E. Williams, R.Y. Sheppard, K.W. Lewis, D.M. Rubin, W. Rapin, M.N. Hughes, M. Turner, S.A. Wilson, J.M. Davis, R.E. Kronyak, L. Le Deit, L.C. Kah, J. Frydenvang, R.J. Sullivan, C.C. Bedford, E. Dehouck, H.E. Newsom, M.C. Malin
No magmatic driving force for Europan sea-floor volcanism No magmatic driving force for Europan sea-floor volcanism
The internal ocean of Jupiter’s moon Europa is thought to be a prime candidate for hosting extraterrestrial life. Europa’s silicate interior may contribute to habitability via the generation of reactants through hydrothermal activity, serpentinization, or other geological processes occurring on or just below Europa’s seafloor. However, silicate melting is thought to occur at >100 km...
Authors
A.P. Green, Catherine Elder, Michael Thomas Bland, Paul Tackley, Paul K. Byrne
Ageing of organic materials at the surface of Mars: A Raman study aboard Perseverance Ageing of organic materials at the surface of Mars: A Raman study aboard Perseverance
The Perseverance rover is exploring Jezero crater on Mars, one of its goals being to collect samples to be returned to Earth to search for organic remains of ancient Martian life. However, the organic content of these rocks has likely suffered from the radiation environment on the surface of Mars to an extent yet to be quantified. For the first time, a 1000 sols long ageing experiment...
Authors
S. Bernard, O. Beyssac, J.A. Manrique, G. Lopez Reyes, A. Ollila, S. Le Mouelic, P.S.A. Beck, P. Pilleri, O. Forni, S. Julve-Gonzales, M. Veneranda, I. Reyes Rodriguez, J.M. Madariaga Mota, J. Aramenda, K. Castro, E. Clave, C. Royer, T. Fornaro, B. Bousquet, S.K. Sharma, J.R. Johnson, E. Cloutis, Travis S.J. Gabriel, P.Y. Meslin, O. Gasnault, A. Cousin, R.C. Wiens, S. Maurice
Lunar grid systems, coordinate systems, and map projections for the Artemis missions and lunar surface navigation Lunar grid systems, coordinate systems, and map projections for the Artemis missions and lunar surface navigation
Foreward This document contains design specifications of a navigational standard for the Moon, including a Lunar Transverse Mercator system, a Lunar Polar Stereographic system, a Lunar Grid Reference System, and a unique coordinate structure, Artemis Condensed Coordinates, for Artemis mission navigation and lunar surface science. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)...
Authors
Mark T McClernan, Michael L. Dennis, Ike H. Theriot, Trent M. Hare, Brent A. Archinal, Lillian R. Ostrach, Marc A. Hunter, Matthew J. Miller, Ross A. Beyer, Andrew M. Annex, Samuel J. Lawrence
Crater detection dependence on resolution, incidence angle, emission angle, and phase angle Crater detection dependence on resolution, incidence angle, emission angle, and phase angle
Impact crater population detection and measurement is critical to understanding solar system bodies and dynamics. However, the ability to detect all possible craters under different lighting and camera geometries has not been systematically studied except in a few limited cases. This work presents the first systematic study examining crater detection based on resolution, incidence angle...
Authors
Stuart J. Robbins, Michelle R. Kirchoff, Lillian R. Ostrach
Refined mapping of subsurface water ice on Mars to support future missions Refined mapping of subsurface water ice on Mars to support future missions
Mars has an extensive yet poorly understood cryosphere. Nevertheless, both direct and indirect evidence indicates extensive buried ice across the midlatitudes, including locations where it is presently unstable. While much progress has been made in exploring the processes responsible for ice deposition and preservation during recent climatic fluctuations, a global assessment of the...
Authors
Gareth A Morgan, Nathaniel E Putzig, David M H Baker, Asmin E. Pathare, Colin M. Dundas, Megan Russell, Matthew R Perry, Matthew Chojnacki, Hanna G Sizemore, Ali M Bramson, Eric I Petersen, Stefano Nerozzi, Rachel H Hoover, Zachary M Bain
Wave ripples formed in ancient, ice-free lakes in Gale crater, Mars Wave ripples formed in ancient, ice-free lakes in Gale crater, Mars
Symmetrical wave ripples identified with NASA’s Curiosity rover in ancient lake deposits at Gale crater provide a key paleoclimate constraint for early Mars: At the time of ripple formation, climate conditions must have supported ice-free liquid water on the surface of Mars. These features are the most definitive examples of wave ripples on another planet. The ripples occur in two...
Authors
C.A. Mondro, C.M. Fedo, J.P. Grotzinger, Michael P. Lamb, S. Gupta, W.E. Dietrich, S. G. Banham, C.M. Weitz, P. Gasda, Lauren A. Edgar, D. Rubin, A.B. Bryk, E.S. Kite, G. Caravaca, J. Schieber, A.R. Vasavada
Thicknesses of lava flows in satellite images: Comparison of layered mare units with terrestrial analogs Thicknesses of lava flows in satellite images: Comparison of layered mare units with terrestrial analogs
Recent advances in satellite imaging technology have greatly improved our observations of planetary surfaces. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) records images with resolutions on average of 0.5 m per pixel, resolving meter scale features on the surface of the Moon. NAC images have revealed layered deposits, interpreted to be sequences of mare basalt flows...
Authors
M. Elise Rumpf, Heidi Needham, Sarah A. Fagents
Late Amazonian ice near Athabasca Valles, Mars: Recent megaflood or climate change? Late Amazonian ice near Athabasca Valles, Mars: Recent megaflood or climate change?
The Athabasca Valles outflow channel system is among the youngest such channels on Mars, with the Athabasca Valles flood lava (AVFL) covering the channel floor and reaching far beyond. Volcanic rootless cones on the AVFL indicate the presence of H2O in the shallow subsurface at the time of lava emplacement. However, Athabasca Valles are near the equator, where ice would rapidly sublime...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, Kaj E. Williams
The Europa Imaging System (EIS) investigation The Europa Imaging System (EIS) investigation
The Europa Imaging System (EIS) consists of a Narrow-Angle Camera (NAC) and a Wide-Angle Camera (WAC) that are designed to work together to address high-priority science objectives regarding Europa’s geology, composition, and the nature of its ice shell. EIS accommodates variable geometry and illumination during rapid, low-altitude flybys with both framing and pushbroom imaging...
Authors
E.P. Turtle, A.S. McEwen, G.W. Patterson, C. M. Ernst, C.M. Elder, K.A. Slack, S.E. Hawkins, J. McDermott, H. M. Meyer, R. DeMajistre, R. Espiritu, H. Seifert, J. Niewola, Michael T. Bland, M.K. Becker, J. Centurelli, G.C. Collins, P. Corlies, H. Darlington, I. J. Daubar, C. Derr, C. Detelich, E. Donald, W. Edens, L. Fletcher, C. Gardner, F. Graham, C.J. Hansen, C. Haslebacher, A.G. Hayes, D. Humm, T.A. Hurford, Randolph L. Kirk, N. W. Kutsop, W.J. Lees, D. T. Lewis, S. London, A. Magner, M.A. Mills, A.C. Barr Mlinar, F. Morgan, F. Nimmo, A. Ocasio Milanes, S. Osterman, C.B. Phillips, A. Pommerol, L. Prockter, L.C. Quick, G. Robbins, J.M. Soderblom, B.A. Stewart, A. Stickle, S.S. Sutton, N. Thomas, I. Torres, O.J. Tucker, R.B. Van Auken, K.A. Wilk