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Magnetic properties experiments on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit at Gusev Crater

August 6, 2004

The magnetic properties experiments are designed to help identify the magnetic minerals in the dust and rocks on Mars—and to determine whether liquid water was involved in the formation and alteration of these magnetic minerals. Almost all of the dust particles suspended in the martian atmosphere must contain ferrimagnetic minerals (such as maghemite or magnetite) in an amount of ∼2% by weight. The most magnetic fraction of the dust appears darker than the average dust. Magnetite was detected in the first two rocks ground by Spirit.

Publication Year 2004
Title Magnetic properties experiments on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit at Gusev Crater
DOI 10.1126/science.1100112
Authors P. Bertelsen, W. Goetz, M.B. Madsen, K.M. Kinch, S.F. Hviid, J. M. Knudsen, H.P. Gunnlaugsson, J. Merrison, P. Nørnberg, S. W. Squyres, J. F. III Bell, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, S. Gorevan, A. S. Yen, T. Myrick, G. Klingelhoefer, R. Rieder, R. Gellert
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science
Index ID 70201099
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Astrogeology Science Center
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