Planetary Terrestrial Surfaces and Exploring Mars
Jaclyn and Carlton Allen Astromaterials Research and
Exploration Science at Johnson Space Center
Earth
Volcanoes
Mars
Lava Layering – making and mapping a volcano
Impact Craters
Mars Earth
Mars Dunes Earth Dunes
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?
Examples of Meanders
Earth Mars
Plateau Region
ESA-MEX
Field of View 60 km wide
Kasei Valles
Landslide
Mars Exploration Rover Landing
Sites Mars Exploration Rover Landing
Sites Meridiani Planum Gusev Crater
Water-formed hematite? Ancient lake sediments?
Mars Exploration Rover
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
Spirit’s Objectives
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