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Merging Perspectives on Secondary Minerals on Mars: A Review of Ancient Water-Rock Interactions in Gale Crater Inferred from Orbital and In-Situ Observations. MINERALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/min11090986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Phyllosilicates, sulfates, and Fe oxides are the most prevalent secondary minerals detected on Mars from orbit and the surface, including in the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover’s field site at Gale crater. These records of aqueous activity have been investigated in detail in Gale crater, where Curiosity’s X-ray diffractometer allows for direct observation and detailed characterization of mineral structure and abundance. This capability provides critical ground truthing to better understand how to interpret Martian mineralogy inferred from orbital datasets. Curiosity is about to leave behind phyllosilicate-rich strata for more sulfate-rich terrains, while the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is in its early exploration of ancient sedimentary strata in Jezero crater. It is thus an appropriate time to review Gale crater’s mineral distribution from multiple perspectives, utilizing the range of chemical, mineralogical, and spectral measurements provided by orbital and in situ observations. This review compares orbital predictions of composition in Gale crater with higher fidelity (but more spatially restricted) in situ measurements by Curiosity, and we synthesize how this information contributes to our understanding of water-rock interaction in Gale crater. In the context of combining these disparate spatial scales, we also discuss implications for the larger understanding of martian surface evolution and the need for a wide range of data types and scales to properly reconstruct ancient geologic processes using remote methods.
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2
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Hayes AG, Corlies P, Tate C, Barrington M, Bell JF, Maki JN, Caplinger M, Ravine M, Kinch KM, Herkenhoff K, Horgan B, Johnson J, Lemmon M, Paar G, Rice MS, Jensen E, Kubacki TM, Cloutis E, Deen R, Ehlmann BL, Lakdawalla E, Sullivan R, Winhold A, Parkinson A, Bailey Z, van Beek J, Caballo-Perucha P, Cisneros E, Dixon D, Donaldson C, Jensen OB, Kuik J, Lapo K, Magee A, Merusi M, Mollerup J, Scudder N, Seeger C, Stanish E, Starr M, Thompson M, Turenne N, Winchell K. Pre-Flight Calibration of the Mars 2020 Rover Mastcam Zoom (Mastcam-Z) Multispectral, Stereoscopic Imager. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS 2021; 217:29. [PMID: 33678912 PMCID: PMC7892537 DOI: 10.1007/s11214-021-00795-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The NASA Perseverance rover Mast Camera Zoom (Mastcam-Z) system is a pair of zoomable, focusable, multi-spectral, and color charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras mounted on top of a 1.7 m Remote Sensing Mast, along with associated electronics and two calibration targets. The cameras contain identical optical assemblies that can range in focal length from 26 mm ( 25.5 ∘ × 19.1 ∘ FOV ) to 110 mm ( 6.2 ∘ × 4.2 ∘ FOV ) and will acquire data at pixel scales of 148-540 μm at a range of 2 m and 7.4-27 cm at 1 km. The cameras are mounted on the rover's mast with a stereo baseline of 24.3 ± 0.1 cm and a toe-in angle of 1.17 ± 0.03 ∘ (per camera). Each camera uses a Kodak KAI-2020 CCD with 1600 × 1200 active pixels and an 8 position filter wheel that contains an IR-cutoff filter for color imaging through the detectors' Bayer-pattern filters, a neutral density (ND) solar filter for imaging the sun, and 6 narrow-band geology filters (16 total filters). An associated Digital Electronics Assembly provides command data interfaces to the rover, 11-to-8 bit companding, and JPEG compression capabilities. Herein, we describe pre-flight calibration of the Mastcam-Z instrument and characterize its radiometric and geometric behavior. Between April 26 t h and May 9 t h , 2019, ∼45,000 images were acquired during stand-alone calibration at Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) in San Diego, CA. Additional data were acquired during Assembly Test and Launch Operations (ATLO) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Kennedy Space Center. Results of the radiometric calibration validate a 5% absolute radiometric accuracy when using camera state parameters investigated during testing. When observing using camera state parameters not interrogated during calibration (e.g., non-canonical zoom positions), we conservatively estimate the absolute uncertainty to be < 10 % . Image quality, measured via the amplitude of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) at Nyquist sampling (0.35 line pairs per pixel), shows MTF Nyquist = 0.26 - 0.50 across all zoom, focus, and filter positions, exceeding the > 0.2 design requirement. We discuss lessons learned from calibration and suggest tactical strategies that will optimize the quality of science data acquired during operation at Mars. While most results matched expectations, some surprises were discovered, such as a strong wavelength and temperature dependence on the radiometric coefficients and a scene-dependent dynamic component to the zero-exposure bias frames. Calibration results and derived accuracies were validated using a Geoboard target consisting of well-characterized geologic samples. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11214-021-00795-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G. Hayes
- Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
- Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
| | - P. Corlies
- Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - C. Tate
- Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
| | - M. Barrington
- Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
| | - J. F. Bell
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85287 USA
| | - J. N. Maki
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
| | - M. Caplinger
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - M. Ravine
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - K. M. Kinch
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - K. Herkenhoff
- USGS Astrogeology Science Center, 2255 N. Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 USA
| | - B. Horgan
- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Department, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - J. Johnson
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723 USA
| | - M. Lemmon
- Space Science Institute, 4765 Walnut St., Suite B, Boulder, CO 80301 USA
| | - G. Paar
- Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Steyrergasse 17, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - M. S. Rice
- Geology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225 USA
| | - E. Jensen
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - T. M. Kubacki
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - E. Cloutis
- Geography Department, University of Winnepeg, 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9 Canada
| | - R. Deen
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
| | - B. L. Ehlmann
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91101 USA
| | - E. Lakdawalla
- The Planetary Society, 60 S Los Robles, Pasadena, CA 91101 USA
| | - R. Sullivan
- Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
| | - A. Winhold
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85287 USA
| | - A. Parkinson
- Centre for Terrestrial and Planetary Exploration, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9 Canada
| | - Z. Bailey
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
| | - J. van Beek
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
| | - P. Caballo-Perucha
- Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Steyrergasse 17, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - E. Cisneros
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85287 USA
| | - D. Dixon
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - C. Donaldson
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - O. B. Jensen
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J. Kuik
- Centre for Terrestrial and Planetary Exploration, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9 Canada
| | - K. Lapo
- Geology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225 USA
| | - A. Magee
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - M. Merusi
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J. Mollerup
- Geology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225 USA
| | - N. Scudder
- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Department, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - C. Seeger
- Geology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225 USA
| | - E. Stanish
- Centre for Terrestrial and Planetary Exploration, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9 Canada
| | - M. Starr
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - M. Thompson
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
| | - N. Turenne
- Centre for Terrestrial and Planetary Exploration, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9 Canada
| | - K. Winchell
- Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
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3
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Ertem G. The Role of Minerals in Events That Led to the Origin of Life. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:137-150. [PMID: 33544652 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The role of minerals in the events that led to the origin of life is discussed with regard to (1) their catalytic role for the formation of RNA-like oligomers from their monomers and (2) their protective role for organic molecules formed in space that were delivered to planetary surfaces. Results obtained in the laboratory demonstrate that minerals do catalyze the oligomerization of ribonucleic acid (RNA) monomers to produce short RNA chains. Furthermore, and more importantly, these synthetic RNA chains formed by mineral catalysis serve as a template for the formation of complementary RNA chains, which is a significant finding that demonstrates the role of minerals in the origin of life. Simulation experiments run under Mars-like conditions have also shown that Mars analog minerals can shield the precursors of RNA and proteins against the harmful effects of UV and gamma radiation at the martian surface and 5 cm below the surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gözen Ertem
- Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute, Mountain View, California, USA
- University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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Jacob SR, Wellington DF, Bell JF, Achilles C, Fraeman AA, Horgan B, Johnson JR, Maurice S, Peters GH, Rampe EB, Thompson LM, Wiens RC. Spectral, Compositional, and Physical Properties of the Upper Murray Formation and Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale Crater, Mars. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2020; 125:e2019JE006290. [PMID: 33282613 PMCID: PMC7685153 DOI: 10.1029/2019je006290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
During 2018 and 2019, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover investigated the chemistry, morphology, and stratigraphy of Vera Rubin ridge (VRR). Using orbital data from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars, scientists attributed the strong 860 nm signal associated with VRR to the presence of red crystalline hematite. However, Mastcam multispectral data and CheMin X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements show that the depth of the 860 nm absorption is negatively correlated with the abundance of red crystalline hematite, suggesting that other mineralogical or physical parameters are also controlling the 860 nm absorption. Here, we examine Mastcam and ChemCam passive reflectance spectra from VRR and other locations to link the depth, position, and presence or absence of iron-related mineralogic absorption features to the XRD-derived rock mineralogy. Correlating CheMin mineralogy to spectral parameters showed that the ~860 nm absorption has a strong positive correlation with the abundance of ferric phyllosilicates. New laboratory reflectance measurements of powdered mineral mixtures can reproduce trends found in Gale crater. We hypothesize that variations in the 860 nm absorption feature in Mastcam and ChemCam observations of VRR materials are a result of three factors: (1) variations in ferric phyllosilicate abundance due to its ~800-1,000 nm absorption; (2) variations in clinopyroxene abundance because of its band maximum at ~860 nm; and (3) the presence of red crystalline hematite because of its absorption centered at 860 nm. We also show that relatively small changes in Ca-sulfate abundance is one potential cause of the erosional resistance and geomorphic expression of VRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. R. Jacob
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - D. F. Wellington
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - J. F. Bell
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - C. Achilles
- NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbeltMDUSA
| | - A. A. Fraeman
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - B. Horgan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - J. R. Johnson
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryLaurelMDUSA
| | - S. Maurice
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanetologieToulouseFrance
| | - G. H. Peters
- NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research CenterEdwardsCAUSA
| | | | - L. M. Thompson
- Planetary and Space Science CentreUniversity of New BrunswickCanada
| | - R. C. Wiens
- Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos AlamosNMUSA
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Fraeman AA, Johnson JR, Arvidson RE, Rice MS, Wellington DF, Morris RV, Fox VK, Horgan BHN, Jacob SR, Salvatore MR, Sun VZ, Pinet P, Bell JF, Wiens RC, Vasavada AR. Synergistic Ground and Orbital Observations of Iron Oxides on Mt. Sharp and Vera Rubin Ridge. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2020; 125:e2019JE006294. [PMID: 33042722 PMCID: PMC7539960 DOI: 10.1029/2019je006294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Visible/short-wave infrared spectral data from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) show absorptions attributed to hematite at Vera Rubin ridge (VRR), a topographic feature on northwest Mt. Sharp. The goals of this study are to determine why absorptions caused by ferric iron are strongly visible from orbit at VRR and to improve interpretation of CRISM data throughout lower Mt. Sharp. These goals are achieved by analyzing coordinated CRISM and in situ spectral data along the Curiosity Mars rover's traverse. VRR bedrock within areas that have the deepest ferric absorptions in CRISM data also has the deepest ferric absorptions measured in situ. This suggests strong ferric absorptions are visible from orbit at VRR because of the unique spectral properties of VRR bedrock. Dust and mixing with basaltic sand additionally inhibit the ability to measure ferric absorptions in bedrock stratigraphically below VRR from orbit. There are two implications of these findings: (1) Ferric absorptions in CRISM data initially dismissed as noise could be real, and ferric phases are more widespread in lower Mt. Sharp than previously reported. (2) Patches with the deepest ferric absorptions in CRISM data are, like VRR, reflective of deeper absorptions in the bedrock. One model to explain this spectral variability is late-stage diagenetic fluids that changed the grain size of ferric phases, deepening absorptions. Curiosity's experience highlights the strengths of using CRISM data for spectral absorptions and associated mineral detections and the caveats in using these data for geologic interpretations and strategic path planning tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. A. Fraeman
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - J. R. Johnson
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryLaurelMDUSA
| | - R. E. Arvidson
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesWashington UniversitySt. LouisMOUSA
| | - M. S. Rice
- Geology Department, Physics and Astronomy DepartmentWestern Washington UniversityBellinghamWAUSA
| | - D. F. Wellington
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | | | - V. K. Fox
- Division of Geological and Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - B. H. N. Horgan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - S. R. Jacob
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - M. R. Salvatore
- Department of Astronomy and Planetary ScienceNorthern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffAZUSA
| | - V. Z. Sun
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - P. Pinet
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieUniversité de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, CNESToulouseFrance
| | - J. F. Bell
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - R. C. Wiens
- Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos AlamosNMUSA
| | - A. R. Vasavada
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
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6
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Crystallization Behaviour of Iron-Hydroxide Sulphates by Aging under Ambient Temperature Conditions. MINERALS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/min9010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The crystallization behaviour of jarosite and schwertmannite has been studied by precipitation-aging experiments performed using different parent-solution concentrations at acidic conditions and ambient temperature. Schwertmannite exhibits low crystallinity and is the only mineral identified during low-concentration (LC) experiments. However, in high-concentration (HC) experiments, a relatively rapid Ostwald ripening process leads to the transformation of schwertmannite into natrojarosite. The presence of sodium modifies the morphology and stability of the obtained phases. TEM observations reveal that schwertmannite particles consist of disoriented nanodomains (~6 nm) spread in an amorphous mass. In contrast, natrojarosite particles exhibit a single-domain, highly crystalline core, with the crystallinity decreasing from core to rim. The thermal behaviour of these phases depends on both their composition and their degree of crystallinity. TG and DTG analyses show that, below 500 °C, the amount of structural water is clearly higher in schwertmannite than in natrojarosite. The present results highlight the role of the ripening processes in epigenetic conditions and could be important in interpreting the formation of jarosite in Earth and Martian surface environments.
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Jay ZJ, Beam JP, Dlakić M, Rusch DB, Kozubal MA, Inskeep WP. Marsarchaeota are an aerobic archaeal lineage abundant in geothermal iron oxide microbial mats. Nat Microbiol 2018; 3:732-740. [PMID: 29760463 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0163-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of archaeal lineages is critical to our understanding of the universal tree of life and evolutionary history of the Earth. Geochemically diverse thermal environments in Yellowstone National Park provide unprecedented opportunities for studying archaea in habitats that may represent analogues of early Earth. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of a phylum-level archaeal lineage proposed and herein referred to as the 'Marsarchaeota', after the red planet. The Marsarchaeota contains at least two major subgroups prevalent in acidic, microaerobic geothermal Fe(III) oxide microbial mats across a temperature range from ~50-80 °C. Metagenomics, single-cell sequencing, enrichment culturing and in situ transcriptional analyses reveal their biogeochemical role as facultative aerobic chemoorganotrophs that may also mediate the reduction of Fe(III). Phylogenomic analyses of replicate assemblies corresponding to two groups of Marsarchaeota indicate that they branch between the Crenarchaeota and all other major archaeal lineages. Transcriptomic analyses of several Fe(III) oxide mat communities reveal that these organisms were actively transcribing two different terminal oxidase complexes in situ and genes comprising an F420-dependent butanal catabolism. The broad distribution of Marsarchaeota in geothermal, microaerobic Fe(III) oxide mats suggests that similar habitat types probably played an important role in the evolution of archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zackary J Jay
- Thermal Biology Institute and Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Jacob P Beam
- Thermal Biology Institute and Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.,Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Mensur Dlakić
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Douglas B Rusch
- Center for Bioinformatics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Mark A Kozubal
- Thermal Biology Institute and Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.,Sustainable Bioproducts, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - William P Inskeep
- Thermal Biology Institute and Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
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Núñez JI, Farmer JD, Sellar RG, Swayze GA, Blaney DL. Science applications of a multispectral microscopic imager for the astrobiological exploration of Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2014; 14:132-69. [PMID: 24552233 PMCID: PMC3929460 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2013.1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Future astrobiological missions to Mars are likely to emphasize the use of rovers with in situ petrologic capabilities for selecting the best samples at a site for in situ analysis with onboard lab instruments or for caching for potential return to Earth. Such observations are central to an understanding of the potential for past habitable conditions at a site and for identifying samples most likely to harbor fossil biosignatures. The Multispectral Microscopic Imager (MMI) provides multispectral reflectance images of geological samples at the microscale, where each image pixel is composed of a visible/shortwave infrared spectrum ranging from 0.46 to 1.73 μm. This spectral range enables the discrimination of a wide variety of rock-forming minerals, especially Fe-bearing phases, and the detection of hydrated minerals. The MMI advances beyond the capabilities of current microimagers on Mars by extending the spectral range into the infrared and increasing the number of spectral bands. The design employs multispectral light-emitting diodes and an uncooled indium gallium arsenide focal plane array to achieve a very low mass and high reliability. To better understand and demonstrate the capabilities of the MMI for future surface missions to Mars, we analyzed samples from Mars-relevant analog environments with the MMI. Results indicate that the MMI images faithfully resolve the fine-scale microtextural features of samples and provide important information to help constrain mineral composition. The use of spectral endmember mapping reveals the distribution of Fe-bearing minerals (including silicates and oxides) with high fidelity, along with the presence of hydrated minerals. MMI-based petrogenetic interpretations compare favorably with laboratory-based analyses, revealing the value of the MMI for future in situ rover-mediated astrobiological exploration of Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge I. Núñez
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Jack D. Farmer
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - R. Glenn Sellar
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | | | - Diana L. Blaney
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
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Wu L, Brucker RP, Beard BL, Roden EE, Johnson CM. Iron isotope characteristics of Hot Springs at Chocolate Pots, Yellowstone National Park. ASTROBIOLOGY 2013; 13:1091-1101. [PMID: 24219169 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2013.0996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Chocolate Pots Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park is a hydrothermal system that contains high aqueous ferrous iron [∼0.1 mM Fe(II)] at circumneutral pH conditions. This site provides an ideal field environment in which to test our understanding of Fe isotope fractionations derived from laboratory experiments. The Fe(III) oxides, mainly produced through Fe(II) oxidation by oxygen in the atmosphere, have high ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratios compared with the aqueous Fe(II). However, the degree of fractionation is less than that expected in a closed system at isotopic equilibrium. We suggest two explanations for the observed Fe isotope compositions. One is that light Fe isotopes partition into a sorbed component and precipitate out on the Fe(III) oxide surfaces in the presence of silica. The other explanation is internal regeneration of isotopically heavy Fe(II) via dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction farther down the flow path as well as deeper within the mat materials. These findings provide evidence that silica plays an important role in governing Fe isotope fractionation factors between reduced and oxidized Fe. Under conditions of low ambient oxygen, such as may be found on early Earth or Mars, significantly larger Fe isotope variations are predicted, reflecting the more likely attainment of Fe isotope equilibrium associated with slower oxidation rates under low-O₂ conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Wu
- 1 Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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10
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Fegley B, Treiman AH. Chemistry of Atmosphere-Surface Interaction on Venus and Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1029/gm066p0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
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Mustard JF, Erard S, Bibring JP, Head JW, Hurtrez S, Langevin Y, Pieters CM, Sotin CJ. The surface of Syrtis Major: Composition of the volcanic substrate and mixing with altered dust and soil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/92je02682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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12
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Golden DC, Morris RV, Ming DW, Lauer HV, Yang SR. Mineralogy of three slightly palagonitized basaltic tephra samples from the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/92je02590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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13
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Bell JF, Morris RV, Adams JB. Thermally altered palagonitic tephra: A spectral and process analog to the soil and dust of Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/92je02367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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14
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House CH, Beal EJ, Orphan VJ. The Apparent Involvement of ANMEs in Mineral Dependent Methane Oxidation, as an Analog for Possible Martian Methanotrophy. Life (Basel) 2011; 1:19-33. [PMID: 25382054 PMCID: PMC4187123 DOI: 10.3390/life1010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 11/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
On Earth, marine anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM) can be driven by the microbial reduction of sulfate, iron, and manganese. Here, we have further characterized marine sediment incubations to determine if the mineral dependent methane oxidation involves similar microorganisms to those found for sulfate-dependent methane oxidation. Through FISH and FISH-SIMS analyses using 13C and 15N labeled substrates, we find that the most active cells during manganese dependent AOM are primarily mixed and mixed-cluster aggregates of archaea and bacteria. Overall, our control experiment using sulfate showed two active bacterial clusters, two active shell aggregates, one active mixed aggregate, and an active archaeal sarcina, the last of which appeared to take up methane in the absence of a closely-associated bacterial partner. A single example of a shell aggregate appeared to be active in the manganese incubation, along with three mixed aggregates and an archaeal sarcina. These results suggest that the microorganisms (e.g., ANME-2) found active in the manganese-dependent incubations are likely capable of sulfate-dependent AOM. Similar metabolic flexibility for Martian methanotrophs would mean that the same microbial groups could inhabit a diverse set of Martian mineralogical crustal environments. The recently discovered seasonal Martian plumes of methane outgassing could be coupled to the reduction of abundant surface sulfates and extensive metal oxides, providing a feasible metabolism for present and past Mars. In an optimistic scenario Martian methanotrophy consumes much of the periodic methane released supporting on the order of 10,000 microbial cells per cm2 of Martian surface. Alternatively, most of the methane released each year could be oxidized through an abiotic process requiring biological methane oxidation to be more limited. If under this scenario, 1% of this methane flux were oxidized by biology in surface soils or in subsurface aquifers (prior to release), a total of about 1020 microbial cells could be supported through methanotrophy with the cells concentrated in regions of methane release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H House
- Department of Geosciences and Penn State Astrobiology Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 220 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Emily J Beal
- Department of Geosciences and Penn State Astrobiology Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 220 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Victoria J Orphan
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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Goetz W, Leer K, Gunnlaugsson HP, Bartlett P, Basso B, Bell J, Bertelsen P, Binau CS, Chu PC, Gorevan S, Hansen MF, Hviid SF, Kinch KM, Klingelhöfer G, Kusack A, Madsen MB, Ming DW, Morris RV, Mumm E, Myrick T, Olsen M, Squyres SW, Wilson J, Yen A. Search for magnetic minerals in Martian rocks: Overview of the Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) magnet investigation on Spirit and Opportunity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1029/2006je002819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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16
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McCord TB, Adams JB, Bellucci G, Combe JP, Gillespie AR, Hansen G, Hoffmann H, Jaumann R, Neukum G, Pinet P, Poulet F, Stephan K. Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera spectrophotometric data: Characteristics and science analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006je002769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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17
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Glotch TD, Rogers AD. Evidence for aqueous deposition of hematite- and sulfate-rich light-toned layered deposits in Aureum and Iani Chaos, Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006je002863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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18
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Murchie S, Arvidson R, Bedini P, Beisser K, Bibring JP, Bishop J, Boldt J, Cavender P, Choo T, Clancy RT, Darlington EH, Des Marais D, Espiritu R, Fort D, Green R, Guinness E, Hayes J, Hash C, Heffernan K, Hemmler J, Heyler G, Humm D, Hutcheson J, Izenberg N, Lee R, Lees J, Lohr D, Malaret E, Martin T, McGovern JA, McGuire P, Morris R, Mustard J, Pelkey S, Rhodes E, Robinson M, Roush T, Schaefer E, Seagrave G, Seelos F, Silverglate P, Slavney S, Smith M, Shyong WJ, Strohbehn K, Taylor H, Thompson P, Tossman B, Wirzburger M, Wolff M. Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006je002682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 666] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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19
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Kinch KM, Sohl-Dickstein J, Bell JF, Johnson JR, Goetz W, Landis GA. Dust deposition on the Mars Exploration Rover Panoramic Camera (Pancam) calibration targets. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006je002807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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20
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Johnson JR, Grundy WM, Lemmon MT, Bell JF, Johnson MJ, Deen RG, Arvidson RE, Farrand WH, Guinness EA, Hayes AG, Herkenhoff KE, Seelos F, Soderblom J, Squyres S. Spectrophotometric properties of materials observed by Pancam on the Mars Exploration Rovers: 1. Spirit. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1029/2005je002494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark T. Lemmon
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences; Texas A&M University; College Station Texas USA
| | - James F. Bell
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - Miles J. Johnson
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - Robert G. Deen
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - Raymond E. Arvidson
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | | | - Edward A. Guinness
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | | | | | - Frank Seelos
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - Jason Soderblom
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - Steve Squyres
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
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21
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Bell JF, Joseph J, Sohl-Dickstein JN, Arneson HM, Johnson MJ, Lemmon MT, Savransky D. In-flight calibration and performance of the Mars Exploration Rover Panoramic Camera (Pancam) instruments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1029/2005je002444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. F. Bell
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - J. Joseph
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | | | - H. M. Arneson
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - M. J. Johnson
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - M. T. Lemmon
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences; Texas A&M University; College Station Texas USA
| | - D. Savransky
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
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22
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Sullivan R, Banfield D, Bell JF, Calvin W, Fike D, Golombek M, Greeley R, Grotzinger J, Herkenhoff K, Jerolmack D, Malin M, Ming D, Soderblom LA, Squyres SW, Thompson S, Watters WA, Weitz CM, Yen A. Aeolian processes at the Mars Exploration Rover Meridiani Planum landing site. Nature 2005; 436:58-61. [PMID: 16001061 DOI: 10.1038/nature03641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2004] [Accepted: 04/12/2005] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The martian surface is a natural laboratory for testing our understanding of the physics of aeolian (wind-related) processes in an environment different from that of Earth. Martian surface markings and atmospheric opacity are time-variable, indicating that fine particles at the surface are mobilized regularly by wind. Regolith (unconsolidated surface material) at the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's landing site has been affected greatly by wind, which has created and reoriented bedforms, sorted grains, and eroded bedrock. Aeolian features here preserve a unique record of changing wind direction and wind strength. Here we present an in situ examination of a martian bright wind streak, which provides evidence consistent with a previously proposed formational model for such features. We also show that a widely used criterion for distinguishing between aeolian saltation- and suspension-dominated grain behaviour is different on Mars, and that estimated wind friction speeds between 2 and 3 m s(-1), most recently from the northwest, are associated with recent global dust storms, providing ground truth for climate model predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sullivan
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, USA.
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23
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Hamilton VE, McSween HY, Hapke B. Mineralogy of Martian atmospheric dust inferred from thermal infrared spectra of aerosols. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1029/2005je002501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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24
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Bertelsen P, Goetz W, Madsen MB, Kinch KM, Hviid SF, Knudsen JM, Gunnlaugsson HP, Merrison J, Nørnberg P, Squyres SW, Bell JF, Herkenhoff KE, Gorevan S, Yen AS, Myrick T, Klingelhöfer G, Rieder R, Gellert R. Magnetic Properties Experiments on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit at Gusev Crater. Science 2004; 305:827-9. [PMID: 15297664 DOI: 10.1126/science.1100112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
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 approximately 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bertelsen
- Center for Planetary Science, Danish Space Research Institute and Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics and Geophysics, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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25
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Tosca NJ. Acid-sulfate weathering of synthetic Martian basalt: The acid fog model revisited. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1029/2003je002218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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26
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Glotch TD. Effect of precursor mineralogy on the thermal infrared emission spectra of hematite: Application to Martian hematite mineralization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1029/2003je002224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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27
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28
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Madsen MB, Bertelsen P, Goetz W, Binau CS, Olsen M, Folkmann F, Gunnlaugsson HP, Kinch KM, Knudsen JM, Merrison J, Nørnberg P, Squyres SW, Yen AS, Rademacher JD, Gorevan S, Myrick T, Bartlett P. Magnetic Properties Experiments on the Mars Exploration Rover mission. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1029/2002je002029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. B. Madsen
- Center for Planetary Science, Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics and Geophysics; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - P. Bertelsen
- Center for Planetary Science, Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics and Geophysics; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - W. Goetz
- Center for Planetary Science, Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics and Geophysics; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - C. S. Binau
- Center for Planetary Science, Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics and Geophysics; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - M. Olsen
- Center for Planetary Science, Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics and Geophysics; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - F. Folkmann
- Department of Physics and Astronomy; University of Århus; Århus Denmark
| | | | - K. M. Kinch
- Department of Physics and Astronomy; University of Århus; Århus Denmark
| | - J. M. Knudsen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy; University of Århus; Århus Denmark
| | - J. Merrison
- Department of Physics and Astronomy; University of Århus; Århus Denmark
| | - P. Nørnberg
- Department of Earth Sciences; University of Århus; Århus Denmark
| | - S. W. Squyres
- Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Astronomy Department; Cornell University; Ithaca USA
| | - A. S. Yen
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - J. D. Rademacher
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
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29
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Bell JF, Squyres SW, Herkenhoff KE, Maki JN, Arneson HM, Brown D, Collins SA, Dingizian A, Elliot ST, Hagerott EC, Hayes AG, Johnson MJ, Johnson JR, Joseph J, Kinch K, Lemmon MT, Morris RV, Scherr L, Schwochert M, Shepard MK, Smith GH, Sohl-Dickstein JN, Sullivan RJ, Sullivan WT, Wadsworth M. Mars Exploration Rover Athena Panoramic Camera (Pancam) investigation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1029/2003je002070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. F. Bell
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - S. W. Squyres
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | | | - J. N. Maki
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - H. M. Arneson
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - D. Brown
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - S. A. Collins
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - A. Dingizian
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - S. T. Elliot
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - E. C. Hagerott
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - A. G. Hayes
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - M. J. Johnson
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | | | - J. Joseph
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - K. Kinch
- Neils Bohr Institute; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - M. T. Lemmon
- Department of Atmospheric Science; Texas A&M University; College Station Texas USA
| | | | - L. Scherr
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - M. Schwochert
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - M. K. Shepard
- Department of Geography and Geosciences; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg Pennsylvania USA
| | | | | | - R. J. Sullivan
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - W. T. Sullivan
- Department of Astronomy; University of Washington; Seattle Washington USA
| | - M. Wadsworth
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
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30
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Bishop JL, Murchie SL, Pieters CM, Zent AP. A model for formation of dust, soil, and rock coatings on Mars: Physical and chemical processes on the Martian surface. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1029/2001je001581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Janice L. Bishop
- SETI Institute/NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Scott L. Murchie
- Applied Physics Laboratory; Johns Hopkins University; Laurel Maryland USA
| | - Carlé M. Pieters
- Department of Geological Sciences; Brown University; Providence Rhode Island USA
| | - Aaron P. Zent
- NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
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31
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Christensen PR, Morris RV, Lane MD, Bandfield JL, Malin MC. Global mapping of Martian hematite mineral deposits: Remnants of water-driven processes on early Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/2000je001415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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33
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Cantor BA, James PB, Caplinger M, Wolff MJ. Martian dust storms: 1999 Mars Orbiter Camera observations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/2000je001310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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34
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Malin MC, Bell JF, Calvin W, Clancy RT, Haberle RM, James PB, Lee SW, Thomas PC, Caplinger MA. Mars Color Imager (MARCI) on the Mars Climate Orbiter. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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35
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Cloutis EA, Bell JF. Diaspores and related hydroxides: Spectral-compositional properties and implications for Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Bell JF, McSween HY, Crisp JA, Morris RV, Murchie SL, Bridges NT, Johnson JR, Britt DT, Golombek MP, Moore HJ, Ghosh A, Bishop JL, Anderson RC, Brückner J, Economou T, Greenwood JP, Gunnlaugsson HP, Hargraves RM, Hviid S, Knudsen JM, Madsen MB, Reid R, Rieder R, Soderblom L. Mineralogic and compositional properties of Martian soil and dust: Results from Mars Pathfinder. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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37
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Morris RV, Golden DC, Bell JF, Shelfer TD, Scheinost AC, Hinman NW, Furniss G, Mertzman SA, Bishop JL, Ming DW, Allen CC, Britt DT. Mineralogy, composition, and alteration of Mars Pathfinder rocks and soils: Evidence from multispectral, elemental, and magnetic data on terrestrial analogue, SNC meteorite, and Pathfinder samples. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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38
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Hargraves RB, Knudsen JM, Bertelsen P, Goetz W, Gunnlaugsson HP, Hviid SF, Madsen MB, Olsen M. Magnetic enhancement on the surface of Mars? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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39
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McSween HY, Murchie SL, Crisp JA, Bridges NT, Anderson RC, Bell JF, Britt DT, Brückner J, Dreibus G, Economou T, Ghosh A, Golombek MP, Greenwood JP, Johnson JR, Moore HJ, Morris RV, Parker TJ, Rieder R, Singer R, Wänke H. Chemical, multispectral, and textural constraints on the composition and origin of rocks at the Mars Pathfinder landing site. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1029/98je02551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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40
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Madsen MB, Hviid SF, Gunnlaugsson HP, Knudsen JM, Goetz W, Pedersen CT, Dinesen AR, Mogensen CT, Olsen M, Hargraves RB. The magnetic properties experiments on Mars Pathfinder. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1029/1998je900006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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41
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Johnson JR, Kirk R, Soderblom LA, Gaddis L, Reid RJ, Britt DT, Smith P, Lemmon M, Thomas N, Bell JF, Bridges NT, Anderson R, Herkenhoff KE, Maki J, Murchie S, Dummel A, Jaumann R, Trauthan F, Arnold G. Preliminary results on photometric properties of materials at the Sagan Memorial Station, Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1029/98je02247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Davis WL, McKay CP, Hynes SF. Remote sensing for organics on Mars. ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 1999; 24:489-496. [PMID: 11543336 DOI: 10.1016/s0273-1177(99)00083-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The detection of organics on Mars remains an important scientific objective. Advances in instrumentation and laboratory techniques provide new insight into the lower level detection limit of complex organics in closely packed media. Preliminary results demonstrate that algae present in a palagonite medium do exhibit a spectral reflectance feature in the visible range for dry mass weight ratios of algae to palagonite greater than 6%--which corresponds to 30 mg algae in a 470 mg (just optically thick (< 3 mm) layer) palagonite matrix. This signature most probably represents chlorophyll a, a light harvesting pigment with an emission peak at 678 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L Davis
- SETI Institute, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
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43
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Bishop JL, Froschl H, Mancinelli RL. Alteration processes in volcanic soils and identification of exobiologically important weathering products on Mars using remote sensing. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH 1998; 103:31457-76. [PMID: 11542259 DOI: 10.1029/1998je900008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Determining the mineralogy of the Martian surface material provides information about the past and present environments on Mars which are an integral aspect of whether or not Mars was suitable for the origin of life. Mineral identification on Mars will most likely be achieved through visible-infrared remote sensing in combination with other analyses on landed missions. Therefore, understanding the visible and infrared spectral properties of terrestrial samples formed via processes similar to those thought to have occurred on Mars is essential to this effort and will facilitate site selection for future exobiology missions to Mars. Visible to infrared reflectance spectra are presented here for the fine-grained fractions of altered tephra/lava from the Haleakala summit basin on Maui, the Tarawera volcanic complex on the northern island of New Zealand, and the Greek Santorini island group. These samples exhibit a range of chemical and mineralogical compositions, where the primary minerals typically include plagioclase, pyroxene, hematite, and magnetite. The kind and abundance of weathering products varied substantially for these three sites due, in part, to the climate and weathering environment. The moist environments at Santorini and Tarawera are more consistent with postulated past environments on Mars, while the dry climate at the top of Haleakala is more consistent with the current Martian environment. Weathering of these tephra is evaluated by assessing changes in the leachable and immobile elements, and through detection of phyllosilicates and iron oxide/oxyhydroxide minerals. Identifying regions on Mars where phyllosilicates and many kinds of iron oxides/oxyhydroxides are present would imply the presence of water during alteration of the surface material. Tephra samples altered in the vicinity of cinder cones and steam vents contain higher abundances of phyllosilicates, iron oxides, and sulfates and may be interesting sites for exobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Bishop
- NRC/NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
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44
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Christensen PR. Variations in Martian surface composition and cloud occurrence determined from thermal infrared spectroscopy: Analysis of Viking and Mariner 9 data. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1998. [DOI: 10.1029/97je02114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Smith PH, Bell JF, Bridges NT, Britt DT, Gaddis L, Greeley R, Keller HU, Herkenhoff KE, Jaumann R, Johnson JR, Kirk RL, Lemmon M, Maki JN, Malin MC, Murchie SL, Oberst J, Parker TJ, Reid RJ, Sablotny R, Soderblom LA, Stoker C, Sullivan R, Thomas N, Tomasko MG, Wegryn E. Results from the Mars Pathfinder camera. Science 1997; 278:1758-65. [PMID: 9388170 DOI: 10.1126/science.278.5344.1758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Images of the martian surface returned by the Imager for Mars Pathfinder (IMP) show a complex surface of ridges and troughs covered by rocks that have been transported and modified by fluvial, aeolian, and impact processes. Analysis of the spectral signatures in the scene (at 440- to 1000-nanometer wavelength) reveal three types of rock and four classes of soil. Upward-looking IMP images of the predawn sky show thin, bluish clouds that probably represent water ice forming on local atmospheric haze (opacity approximately 0.5). Haze particles are about 1 micrometer in radius and the water vapor column abundance is about 10 precipitable micrometers.
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Affiliation(s)
- P H Smith
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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Hviid SF, Madsen MB, Gunnlaugsson HP, Goetz W, Knudsen JM, Hargraves RB, Smith P, Britt D, Dinesen AR, Mogensen CT, Olsen M, Pedersen CT, Vistisen L. Magnetic properties experiments on the Mars Pathfinder lander: preliminary results. Science 1997; 278:1768-70. [PMID: 9388172 DOI: 10.1126/science.278.5344.1768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Many of the particles currently suspended in the martian atmosphere are magnetic, with an average saturation magnetization of about 4 A. m2/kg (amperes times square meters per kilogram). The particles appear to consist of claylike aggregates stained or cemented with ferric oxide (Fe2O3); at least some of the stain and cement is probably maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3). The presence of the gamma phase would imply that Fe2+ ions leached from the bedrock, passing through a state as free Fe2+ ions dissolved in liquid water. These particles could be a freeze-dried precipitate from ground water poured out on the surface. An alternative is that the magnetic particles are titanomagnetite occurring in palagonite and inherited directly from a basaltic precursor.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Hviid
- Oersted Laboratory, Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics, and Geophysics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Mustard JF, Murchie S, Erard S, Sunshine J. In situ compositions of Martian volcanics: Implications for the mantle. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1997. [DOI: 10.1029/97je02354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Ockert-Bell ME, Pollack JB, McKay CP, Forget F. Absorption and scattering properties of the Martian dust in the solar wavelengths. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH 1997; 102:9039-50. [PMID: 11541455 DOI: 10.1029/96je03991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A new wavelength-dependent model of the single-scattering properties of the Martian dust is presented. The model encompasses the solar wavelengths (0.3 to 4.3 micrometers at 0.02 micrometer resolution) and does not assume a particular mineralogical composition of the particles. We use the particle size distribution, shape, and single-scattering properties at Viking Lander wavelengths presented by Pollack et al. [1995]. We expand the wavelength range of the aerosol model by assuming that the atmospheric dust complex index of refraction is the same as that of dust particles in the bright surface geologic units. The new wavelength-dependent model is compared to observations taken by the Viking Orbiter Infrared Thermal Mapper solar channel instrument during two dust storms. The model accurately matches afternoon observations and some morning observations. Some of the early morning observations are much brighter than the model results. The increased reflectance can be ascribed to the formation of a water ice shell around the dust particles, thus creating the water ice clouds which Colburn et al. [1989], among others, have predicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Ockert-Bell
- Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
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Morris RV, Golden DC, Bell JF. Low-temperature reflectivity spectra of red hematite and the color of Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1997. [DOI: 10.1029/96je03993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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