Publications
Filter Total Items: 915
A lacustrine paleoenvironment recorded at Vera Rubin ridge, Gale crater: Overview of the sedimentology and stratigraphy observed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover
For ~500 Martian solar days (sols), the Mars Science Laboratory team explored Vera Rubin ridge (VRR), a topographic feature on the northwest slope of Aeolis Mons. Here we review the sedimentary facies and stratigraphy observed during sols 1,800–2,300, covering more than 100 m of stratigraphic thickness. Curiosity's traverse includes two transects across the ridge, which enables investigation of la
Authors
Lauren A. Edgar, Christopher M. Fedo, Sanjeev Gupta, Steve G. Banham, Abigail A. Fraeman, John P. Grotzinger, Kathryn M. Stack, Nathan T. Stein, Kristen A. Bennett, Frances Rivera-Hernandez, Vivian Z. Sun, Kenneth S. Edgett, David M. Rubin, Christopher H House, Jason K. Van Beek
Planetary sensor models interoperability using the community sensor model specification
This paper presents the photogrammetric foundations upon which the Community Sensor Model specification depends, describes common coordinate system and reference frame transformations that support conversion between image sensor (charge‐coupled device) coordinates to some arbitrary body coordinate, and describes the U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Community Sensor Model implementation (https:/
Authors
Jason Laura, Jesse Mapel, Trent M. Hare
Preparing for geophysical science on the surface of the moon enabled by Artemis
Geophysical methods have been extremely successful in identifying resources on Earth as they provide a means of characterizing and mapping the sub-surface using data gathered on and above the target structures. Geophysics on the Moon will be an important tool for identifying key targets for geological prospecting, scientific sampling, assessing hazards and risks to crew and infrastructure, and det
Authors
Nicholas Schmerr, Jacob A. Richardson, R. Ghent, Matt Seigler, Molly Wasser, Patrick Wheeley, D. Buczkowski, Lynne Carter, Chuck Connor, Laura Connor, Jacob E. Bleacher, M. Fouch, D. Baker, T. Hurford, L. Jozwiak, Sarah Kruse, V. Lekic, A. Naids, Ryan Porter, L. Montesi, Derek Richardson, M. Elise Rumpf, J. Sunshine, Norbert Schorghofer, S. Goossens, Nicole Whelley, D. Wyrick, W. Zhu, Ernie Bell, J. DeMartini, D. Coan, D. Akin, Barbara Cohen, E. Mazarico, Clive Neal, M. Panning, Noah Petro, B. Strauss, Renee Weber, T. Glotch, A. Hendrix, A. Parker, Sarah Wright
An aeolian grainflow model for Martian Recurring Slope Lineae
Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL) on Mars have been enigmatic since their discovery; their behavior resembles a seeping liquid but sources of water remain puzzling. This work demonstrates that the properties of RSL are consistent with observed behaviors of Martian and terrestrial aeolian processes. Specifically, RSL are well-explained as flows of sand that remove a thin coating of dust. Observed RSL pr
Authors
Colin M. Dundas
Applied lunar science on Artemis III in support of in situ resource utilization
The Artemis Science Goals and Strategy are focused on basic or fundamental science, neglecting the vital field of “applied” geoscience that fits between “pure” science and engineering to provide near-term practical benefits for human activities.
Authors
Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, Kristen A. Bennett, Lisa R. Gaddis, Lillian R. Ostrach, Lauren A. Edgar
Community tools for cartographic and photogrammetric processing of Mars Express HRSC images
In this chapter we describe the software we have developed for photogrammetric processing of images from the Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera (MEX HRSC) to produce digital topographic models (DTMs) and orthoimages, as well as testing we have performed. HRSC has returned images, including stereo and color coverage of most of Mars at decameter scales. The instrument team has developed an e
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Kenneth Edmundson, Bonnie L. Redding, Donna M. Galuszka, Trent M. Hare, K. Gwinner
Analog experiments of lava flow emplacement
Laboratory experiments that simulate lava flows have been in use by volcanologists for many years. The behavior of flows in the lab, where “eruption” parameters, material properties, and environmental settings are tightly controlled, provides insight into the influence of various factors on flow evolution. A second benefit of laboratory lava flows is to provide a set of observations with which num
Authors
Einat Lev, M. Elise Rumpf, Hannah R. Dietterich
Correction to: Report of the IAU Working Group on cartographic coordinates and rotational elements: 2015
We point out some errors in the most recent report from the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group on Cartographic Coordinates and Rotational Elements (Archinal et al. 2018). We correct a sign error in Figs. 1 and 2. We also correct the equation for the prime meridian position (W) of Mars’ satellite Phobos in Table 2.
Authors
Brent Archinal, C. H. Acton, A. Conrad, T. Duxbury, D. Hestroffer, J. L. Hilton, L. Jorda, Randolph L. Kirk, S. A. Klioner, J-L. Margot, K. Meech, J. Oberst, F. Paganelli, J. Ping, P. K. Seidelmann, A. Stark, D. J. Tholen, Y. Wang, I. P. Williams
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is the remote elemental analysis technique used by the ChemCam instrument on the Curiosity rover. LIBS involves remotely ablating material from rocks and soils with a focused high-energy laser, which generates an optically excited plasma from which the elements in the rock or soil sample are quantitatively determined. The LIBS technique offers many advan
Authors
Samuel M. Clegg, Ryan Anderson, Noureddine Melikechi
Present-day mass wasting in sulfate-rich sediments in the equatorial regions of Mars
Present-day topographic changes are observed on steep slopes in equatorial regions of Mars that are associated with sulfate-rich sediments. Hydrated sulfates are known to be present in many sedimentary deposits on Mars. We document volume changes in the form of mass movements and gullies over these regions. We have estimated erosion rates of ~12 mm/yr (or ~1.2–120 mm/yr with uncertainties) over st
Authors
Melissa F Thomas, Alfred S. McEwen, Colin M. Dundas
The mineral diversity of Jezero crater: Evidence for possible lacustrine carbonates on Mars
Noachian-aged Jezero crater is the only known location on Mars where clear orbital detections of carbonates are found in close proximity to clear fluvio-lacustrine features indicating the past presence of a paleolake; however, it is unclear whether or not the carbonates in Jezero are related to the lacustrine activity. This distinction is critical for evaluating the astrobiological potential of th
Authors
Briony H. N. Horgan, Ryan Anderson, G. Dromart, Elena S. Amador, Melissa S. Rice
Dome formation on Ceres by sold-state flow analogous to terrestrial salt tectonics
The dwarf planet Ceres’s outer crust is a complex, heterogeneous mixture of ice, clathrates, salts and silicates. Numerous large domes on Ceres’s surface indicate a degree of geological activity. These domes have been attributed to cryovolcanism, but that is difficult to reconcile with Ceres’s small size and lack of long-lived heat sources. Here we alternatively propose that Ceres’s domes form by
Authors
Michael T. Bland, D. L Buczkowski, H. G. Sizemore, A. I. Ermakov, S. D King, M. M. Sori, C. A. Raymond, J. C. Castillo-Rogez, C. T. Russell