Geomorphologic and mineralogic characterization of the northern plains of Mars at the Phoenix Mission candidate landing sites

Details Geomorphologic and mineralogic characterization of the northern plains of Mars at the Phoenix Mission candidate landing sites Geomorphologic and mineralogic characterization of the northern plains of Mars at the Phoenix Mission candidate landing sites

Sep 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008jgre..11300a13s&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 113, Issue E9, CiteID E00A13

Mathematics

Logic

12

Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Surface Materials And Properties, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Composition (1060, 3672), Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Polar Regions, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Remote Sensing, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Ices

Scientific paper

A suite of remote sensing data is used to evaluate both geomorphology and mineralogy of the candidate landing sites for the 2007 Phoenix Mission. Three candidate landing site boxes are situated in the northern plains of Mars on the distal flank of Alba Patera in the region from 67°N to 72°N and from ~230°E to 260°E. Geomorphology is mapped at subkilometer spatial scales using Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) visible and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topographic data, supplemented by images from the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and Context Imager (CTX). Mineralogy and spectral properties are examined using Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) visible and near-infrared multispectral mapping and targeted hyperspectral data at ~200 and ~20 m/pixel, respectively. Geomorphic mapping supports the idea that terrains along the boundary between the Amazonian Scandia region and Vastitas Borealis marginal geologic units have undergone extensive modification. Intercrater plains are disrupted to form mesas and interlocking blocks, while irregular depressions and knobby terrain are consistent with erosion/subsidence and local deposition. Despite the varied morphology, the present-day surface is nearly homogeneous with spectral signatures dominated by nanophase iron oxides and basaltic sand and rocks, similar to that of the Gusev crater plains at the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) landing site. The compilation of geomorphic and spectral information for the candidate Phoenix landing sites provides a framework for the mission's in situ observations to be extrapolated to the northern plains as a whole.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Geomorphologic and mineralogic characterization of the northern plains of Mars at the Phoenix Mission candidate landing sites does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Geomorphologic and mineralogic characterization of the northern plains of Mars at the Phoenix Mission candidate landing sites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Geomorphologic and mineralogic characterization of the northern plains of Mars at the Phoenix Mission candidate landing sites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1336662