Other
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p41b1268w&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P41B-1268
Other
5464 Remote Sensing, 5470 Surface Materials And Properties, 6225 Mars
Scientific paper
We have used Panoramic Camera (Pancam) spectral data to analyze loose rock fragments strewn across the surface at the Meridiani Planum landing site. Our objective is to determine the number of distinct rock classes using Pancam spectral parameters and to propose origins for these rocks. Eight rock fragments that have thus far been analyzed by both the rover geochemistry instruments and Pancam include Bounce Rock, Lion Stone, Barberton, Heat Shield Rock, Russet, Arkansas, Perseverance, and Antistasi. Pancam spectra extracted from these eight rocks, as well as from numerous other rock fragments not geochemically analyzed, show a great diversity of compositions, and hence origins. Bounce Rock is interpreted to be impact ejecta from another region of Mars, while Lion Stone and Russet are also interpreted as ejecta but they have compositions that match the sulfate-rich outcrop rocks and so could be locally derived. Heat Shield Rock and Barberton are interpreted as meteorites. Finally, Arkansas, Perseverance, and Antistasi are rock fragments analyzed on outcrop surfaces with compositions similar to the outcrop lithology but with substantially less S. Pancam and Microscopic Imager observations of the morphology of these three rock fragments have shown that they have a high sphericity and are sub-angular to sub-rounded. These three rocks, as well as hundreds of others resting on the outcrop, also have very distinct visible and near infrared spectral properties from the outcrop with lower 535 nm and higher 904 nm band depths compared to the outcrop. Several of the rock fragments exhibit apparent coatings in the Pancam color images, including the top surface of Arkansas and Perseverance where dust derived from the outcrop appears to have been deposited on them. The strong spatial correlation between rock fragments and outcrop exposures suggests that many rock fragments are impact ejecta derived from either underlying or former overlying stratigraphy not currently analyzed in-situ by the Opportunity rover.
Bell James
Farrand W.
Johnson Jesse
Jolliff Brad
Weitz Catherine
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