Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Apr 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja.....4577c&link_type=abstract
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #4577
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
In May and June of this year, the United States will launch two rovers that will land on Mars early in January and February of 2004. The main objective of these rovers is to better understand the role that water has played in the evolution of the surface by making observations on the surface at sites where past water activity is suspected. During the last two years a large number of potential landing sites has been evaluated with respect to landing safety and science potential. At the time of writing the number of potential sites had been narrowed to four: Meridiani, Gusev, Isidis and Elysium. The Meridiani site (2.1S, 6.1W) is located within the highlands at a site where TES spectra indicate the presence of coarse-grained hematite, a mineral that was likely precipitated from water in either a lacustrine or hydrothermal environment. The hematite is in a low albedo unit draped over heavily cratered terrain which appears to be exposed on local highs such as crater rims. The Gusev landing site (14.8S, 184.8W) is in the middle of the floor of the 150 km diameter crater Gusev, the southern rim of which is breached by a large channel Ma'adim Vallis. Water from Ma’adim likely pooled and deposited sediments within the crater in late Noachian times, and the site appears to have been subsequently modified by impacts, wind and possibly volcanism. The Isidis site (4.3N, 272W) is located within the Isidis basin just to the north of the basin's southern rim. Fluvial valleys are common between the massifs of the rim. The site was chosen based on an interpretation that the site is on an alluvial fan comprised of ancient highland materials derived from the highland front. The three above site were chosen because of their science interest and because all appeared to satisfy the engineering requirements. Concern about turbulence and horizontal winds at the sites led to the choice of a site with minimal winds according to circulation models. This is the Elysium site (11.9N, 236.1W) located on a low bench between the cratered highlands and the cratered plains of southern Elysium Planitia. The geologic nature of the site is unclear but it could be alluvium derived from the adjacent highland front. Final choice of the sites will be made when the wind hazards at all the sites are better evaluated.
Adler Mark
Arvidson Ray
Carr Michael
Crisp John
Golombek Matt
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