Publications
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Appendix E: Mars nomenclature
This appendix provides an overview of the history and current standards for Mars geographic nomenclature. The article describes the International Astronomical Union's approval process for planetary nomenclature, and discusses the role of USGS Astrogeology in managing the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature website and background database and
Authors
Tenielle A. Gaither
Improving the usability of Galileo and Voyager images of Jupiter’s moon, Europa
NASA's Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and Galileo spacecraft acquired hundreds of images of Jupiter's moon Europa. These images provide the only moderate- to high-resolution views of the moon's surface and are therefore a critical resource for scientific analysis and future mission planning. Unfortunately, uncertain knowledge of the spacecraft's position and pointing during image acquisition...
Authors
Michael T. Bland, Lynn A. Weller, Brent A. Archinal, Ethan Smith, Benjamin H. Wheeler
Active neutron interrogation experiments and simulation verification using the SIngle-scintillator Neutron and Gamma-Ray spectrometer (SINGR) for geosciences
We present a new SIngle-scintillator Neutron and Gamma Ray spectrometer (SINGR) instrument for use with both passive and active measurement techniques. Here we discuss the application of SINGR for planetary exploration missions, however, hydrology, nuclear non-proliferation, and resource prospecting are all potential areas where the instrument could be applied. SINGR uses an elpasolite...
Authors
Lena E. Heffern, Craig J. Hardgrove, Ann Parsons, E. B. Johnson, R. Starr, G. Stoddard, R. E. Blakeley, T. H. Prettyman, Travis S.J. Gabriel, H. Barnaby, J. Christian, M.A. Unzueta, C. M. Tate, Alexander C. Martin, J. Moersch
Past, present, and future of Mars Polar Science: Outcomes and outlook from the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration
Mars Polar Science is a subfield of Mars science that encompasses all studies of the cryosphere of Mars and its interaction with the Martian environment. Every 4 yr, the community of scientists dedicated to this subfield meets to discuss new findings and debate open issues in the International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration (ICMPSE). This paper summarizes the...
Authors
Patricio Becerra, Isaac B. Smith, Shannon M Hibbard, Chimira Andres, Jonathan Bapst, Ali M. Bramson, Peter B. Buhler, Andrea Coronato, Serina Diniega, Jeremy Emmett, Anna Grau Galofre, Clemence Herny, Melinda A. Kahre, J. Paul Knightly, Stefano Nerozzi, Alyssa Pascuzzo, Ganna Portyankina, Jorge Rabassa, Leslie K Tamppari, Timothy N. Titus, Jennifer L. Whitten, Zuriñe Yoldi
Workshop on terrestrial analogs for planetary exploration
Terrestrial analogs are an important part of the robotic and human exploration of the solar system. One of the main recommendations from a community survey conducted in 2019 was to hold a workshop to increase communication and share resources among scientists, engineers, data managers, educators, and students who are involved, or hope to be involved, in terrestrial analog studies.
Authors
Lauren A. Edgar, Amber L. Gullikson, M. Elise Rumpf, James A. Skinner
A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region
A geomorphologic map is an important step to understanding the geologic context and history of a site; here, we present an initial geomorphologic map for an area spanning 22°–26°N, 108°–112°E in the Utopia Planitia (UP) region on Mars. This site is of special interest because it contains the May 2021 landing site of the Zhurong rover from Tianwen-1. Utopia Planitia exhibits many lobate...
Authors
Mackenzie M. Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Chris Okubo
Advancing cave detection using terrain analysis and thermal imagery
Since the initial experiments nearly 50 years ago, techniques for detecting caves using airborne and spacecraft acquired thermal imagery have improved markedly. These advances are largely due to a combination of higher instrument sensitivity, modern computing systems, and processor-intensive analytical techniques. Through applying these advancements, our goals were to: (1) Determine the...
Authors
J. Judson Wynne, Jeff Jenness, Derek L. Sonderegger, Timothy N. Titus, Murzy D. Jhabvala, Nathalie A. Cabrol
Evaluating stereo digital terrain model quality at Mars Rover Landing Sites with HRSC, CTX, and HiRISE Images
We have used high-resolution digital terrain models (DTMs) of two rover landing sites based on mosaicked images from the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera as a reference to evaluate DTMs based on High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and Context Camera (CTX) images. The Next-Generation Automatic Terrain Extraction (NGATE) matcher in the SOCET SET and GXP®...
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, David Mayer, Robin L. Fergason, Bonnie L. Redding, Donna M. Galuszka, Trent M. Hare, Klaus Gwinner
A geologic field guide to S P Mountain and its lava flow, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona
IntroductionWe created this guide to introduce the user to the San Francisco Volcanic Field as a terrestrial analog site for planetary volcanic processes. For decades, the San Francisco Volcanic Field has been used to teach scientists to recognize the products of common types of volcanic eruptions and associated volcanic features. The volcanic processes and products observed in this...
Authors
Amber L. Gullikson, M. Elise Rumpf, Lauren A. Edgar, Laszlo Kestay, James A. Skinner, Lisa A. Thompson
A review of the phyllosilicates in Gale Crater as detected by the CheMin Instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity Rover
Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, landed on Mars in August 2012 to investigate the ~3.5-billion-year-old (Ga) fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary deposits of Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) and the surrounding plains (Aeolis Palus) in Gale crater. After nearly nine years, Curiosity has traversed over 25 km, and the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) X-ray...
Authors
Valerie M. Tu, Elizabeth B. Rampe, Thomas F. Bristow, Michael T. Thorpe, Joanna V. Clark, Nicholas Castle, Abigail A. Fraeman, Lauren A. Edgar, Amy McAdam, Candice C. Bedford, Cherie N. Achilles, David W. Blake, Steve J. Chipera, Patricia I. Craig, David J. Des Marais, Gordie W. Downs, Robert T. Downs, Valerie K. Fox, John P. Grotzinger, Robert M. Hazen, Douglas W. Ming, Richard W. Morris, Shaunna M. Morrison, Betina Pavri, Tanya S. Peretyazhko, Philippe C. Sarazin, Brad Sutter, Allan H. Treiman, David T. Vaniman, Albert S. Yen, Jon C. Bridges
A numerical model for the cooling of a lava sill with heat pipe effects
Understanding the cooling process of volcanic intrusions into wet sediments is a difficult but important problem, given the presence of extremely large temperature gradients and potentially complex water-magma interactions. This report presents a numerical model to study such interactions, including the effect of heat pipes on the cooling of volcanic intrusions. Udell (1985) has shown...
Authors
Kaj E. Williams, Colin M. Dundas, Laszlo Kestay
Brine-driven destruction of clay minerals in Gale crater, Mars
Mars’ sedimentary rock record preserves information on geological (and potential astrobiological) processes that occurred on the planet billions of years ago. The Curiosity rover is exploring the lower reaches of Mount Sharp, in Gale crater on Mars. A traverse from Vera Rubin ridge to Glen Torridon has allowed Curiosity to examine a lateral transect of rock strata laid down in a martian...
Authors
T. F. Bristow, John P. Grotzinger, Elizabeth B. Rampe, J. Cuadros, S. J. Chipera, G. Downs, Christopher M. Fedo, Jens Frydenvang, A. C. McAdam, R. L. Morris, Cherie N. Achilles, D.W. Blake, N. Castle, P. Craig, D. J. Des Marais, R. T. Downs, R. M. Hazen, D. W. Ming, S. M. Morrison, M. T. Thorpe, A. H. Treiman, V. Tu, D. T. Vaniman, A. S. Yen, Ralf Gellert, P. R. Mahaffy, Roger C. Wiens, A. B. Bryk, Kristen A. Bennett, V. K. Fox, R. E. Milliken, Abigail A. Fraeman, A. R. Vasavada