Multivariate approach for evaluating the composition of Meridiani spherules
نویسنده
چکیده
One of the reasons for selecting Meridiani Planum as one of the two landing sites for the MER (Mars Exploration Rover) mission was the detection of a hematite signature by the TES (Thermal Emission Spectrometer) instrument onboard MGS (Mars Global surveyor) [1]. The presence of hematite at Meridiani has since been confirmed by instruments of the Athena Science Payload of the Opportunity MER rover [2,3]. Meridiani plains appear to be sulphur-rich sedimentary layered rocks covered by basaltic soils (outcrops being exposed within impact craters) [3,4]. Ubiquitous mm-sized spherules, nicknamed 'blueberries', have been observed in both the rocks and the soils. Opportunity's mini-TES and Mössbauer spectrometer (MB) have shown that hematite is present both in the matrix of the layered rocks and in the spherules [2,3].
منابع مشابه
Compositional Constraints on Hematite-rich Spherule (blueberry) Formation at Meridiani Planum, Mars
Introduction: Meridiani Planum was chosen as the landing site for the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity partially based on Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer data indicating an abundance of hematite [1]. Hematite often forms through processes that involve water, so the site was a promising one to determine whether conditions on Mars were ever suitable for life [1,2]. Opportunit...
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Introduction: The gray crystalline hematite on Mars was detected in three regions, Sinus Meridiani, Aram Chaos and Valles Marineris by the thermal emission spectrometer (TES) onboard the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) orbiter [e.g.1, 2]. The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Opportunity confirmed that hematite-rich spherules (~ 4.2 mm) are embedded in sulfur-rich layered outcrops and accumulated on the ...
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The landscape seen by the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Opportunity at Meridiani Planum is dominated by eolian (wind-blown) ripples with concentrated surface lags of hematitic spherules and fragments. These ripples exhibit profound spatial grain size sorting, with well-sorted coarse-grained crests and poorly sorted, generally finer-grained troughs. These ripples were the most common bed form enc...
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Introduction: The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has traversed more than 13 km across Meridiani Planum, finding evidence of ancient aqueous environments that, in the past, may have been suitable for life. Meridiani bedrock along the rover traverse is a mixture in composition and bulk mineralogy between a sulfate-rich sedimentary rock and hematite spherules (" blueberries ") [1]. On top of t...
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