Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p33c1773d&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P33C-1773
Mathematics
Logic
[5420] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Impact Phenomena, Cratering, [5470] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Surface Materials And Properties, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars
Scientific paper
Gale Crater was chosen as the landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, due to arrive at Mars in early August, 2012. The landing ellipse contains a number of interesting features for exploration, documented by Anderson and Bell (2010). These include an alluvial fan marked by low thermal inertia, a more distal alluvial fan marked by high thermal inertia, and less well defined materials of the surrounding plains. We explored the stratigraphic relationships between the high and low thermal inertia alluvial fans and surrounding geologic units within the 20x25 km landing ellipse at Gale Crater by analyzing over 50,000 small craters (1-500 m diameter). With this data, we created a crater retention age map of the landing site based solely on crater observations to help calibrate the geologic map units delineated by Anderson and Bell (2010). By calculating crater retention ages, we estimated formation time of the various units to constrain the geologic history of the region. Comparing calculated ages with the morphology and stratigraphy, we inferred which surfaces are more indurated and the time of their formation. Information gathered in this project about the terrain of the landing site could help in planning the MSL Curiosity rover traverses and targeting strategies.
Bühler Paul
Calef Fred J.
Day Marc
Grotzinger John P.
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