Planetary Terrestrial Surfaces and Exploring Mars
Jaclyn and Carlton Allen Astromaterials Research and
Exploration Science at Johnson Space Center
Lava Layering – making and mapping a volcano
Mars and Earth both formed 4.5 billion years ago. Did
Mars once have a warm, wet environment for life?
Mars and Earth both formed 4.5 billion years ago. Did
Mars once have a warm, wet environment for life?
Mars Exploration Rover Landing
Sites Mars Exploration Rover Landing
Sites Meridiani Planum Gusev Crater
Water-formed hematite? Ancient lake sediments?
GUSEVCRATER100 km
COLOR-CODED TOPOGRAPHIC MAP –RED IS HIGH, BLUE IS LOW
Spirit landing ellipse in Gusev Crater – 100 X 20 km
Gusev Crater – still looking for the lakebed sediments
Windblown soil and dust
Volcanic rocks
Weathered Basalt at Spirit SiteSurface coated with alteration products
100 km
MERIDIANI PLANUM
AREAS OF HEMATITE CONCENTRTIONS – RED IS HIGH, BLUE IS LOW
Opportunity landing ellipse in Meridiani Planum – 100 X 20 km
Eagle Crater – Meridiani Planum
Hematite-rich soil
Sulfur-rich rocks
Blueberries are enrichedin hematite (no goethite)
Hematite Concretions Navaho Sandstone, Utah
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Best Earth analog found so far:Hematite concretions from sandstone – Escalante, UT
Deposition in slow moving Water