Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Peixin Du, Shun Wang, Peng Yuan, Jiacheng Liu, Dong Liu, Haozhe Guo, Xinyi Xiang, Xiaolong Guo
Summary: Allophane is a widely present soil mineral on Earth and potentially on Mars, with adsorption and environmental indication functions. The structure and formation processes of allophane have been studied through hydrothermal synthesis and characterization using advanced techniques. Variations in the initial Si/Al molar ratio lead to different structures of allophane. FTIR and MAS NMR techniques have been proven useful in detecting and studying the properties and composition of allophane. However, visible and near-infrared techniques may not be sufficient for studying poorly ordered aluminosilicate components on Mars' surface.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. AlHantoobi, J. Buz, J. G. O'Rourke, B. Langlais, C. S. Edwards
Summary: Martian crust shows strong magnetic anomalies, which are not well explained yet. Research suggests a relationship between crustal magnetization and composition, with specific absorption features contributing to the variance. Further investigation is needed to understand the geological magnetic field changes on Mars.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Andreas Morlok, Christian Renggli, Bernard Charlier, Olivier Namur, Stephan Klemme, Maximilian P. Reitze, Iris Weber, Aleksandra N. Stojic, Karin E. Bauch, Harald Hiesinger, Joern Helbert
Summary: The MERTIS instrument on the BepiColombo mission will map the surface of Mercury and requires a database of analog materials for spectral interpretation. We analyzed analog materials relevant to Mercury's distinct terrains using mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Different mineral mixtures showed distinct spectral features dominated by glass, forsterite, or pyroxene bands. The easily obtainable spectral parameter CF can be used to classify the analog mixtures. The spectra analyzed in this study showed some similarity to certain terrains on Mercury, but could not fully reproduce the remote sensing data.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
John Carter, Lucie Riu, Francois Poulet, Jean-Pierre Bibring, Yves Langevin, Brigitte Gondet
Summary: The completion of the MOCAAS project has provided a global repository of secondary minerals formed through interaction with water on Mars. High-resolution global maps and a database have been created, revealing the widespread and diverse aqueous alteration on Mars. Local scale studies have enhanced mineral detection at rover landing sites.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Adnan Ahmad, Raj Patel, Bhaswati Deka, Rohit Nagori, A. S. Arya, Archana M. Nair
Summary: This study utilized remote spectral analysis to investigate the surface mineralogy of Tharsis Montes on Mars, revealing the distribution of minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase. The presence of dust obscured certain areas but provided unique research opportunities in less dusty regions. The occurrence of secondary mafic mineral phyllosilicates suggests active weathering or hydrothermal alteration in the region.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
S. J. VanBommel, J. A. Berger, R. Gellert, C. D. O'Connell-Cooper, M. A. McCraig, L. M. Thompson, C. M. Fedo, D. J. Des Marais, D. M. Fey, A. S. Yen, B. C. Clark, A. H. Treiman, N. Boyd
Summary: The Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity found nodules rich in manganese and phosphorus during its exploration of the Knockfarril Hill member of Gale crater on Mars. X-ray spectroscopy data from the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) indicated concentrations of P2O5 possibly exceeding 18 wt% and MnO exceeding 8 wt%. These nodules occur intermittently in sedimentary layers and are associated with calcium sulfate that precipitated from infiltrated fluid. The oxidation state of Mn is likely 2+.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Javier Cuadros, Joseph R. Michalski, Janice L. Bishop, Christian Mavris, Saverio Fiore, Vesselin Dekov
Summary: The study focuses on mineralogical analysis on Mars using cameras with limited wavelength resolution but high target resolution to find spectral features detectable by Mars cameras and diagnostic of specific minerals, with particular emphasis on the spectral features of interstratified glauconitenontronite.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Natsumi Noda, Yasuhito Sekine, Shuya Tan, Sakiko Kikuchi, Takazo Shibuya, Minako Kurisu, Yoshio Takahashi, Keisuke Fukushi, Elizabeth B. Rampe
Summary: Hydrothermal experiments simulating water-rock reactions in the Martian subsurface were conducted to characterize the fluid chemistry. The results suggest that the characteristics of Martian hydrothermal fluids cannot explain the observed secondary mineral assemblages in Gale Crater, indicating that upwelling hydrothermal groundwater is not the source of post-depositional diagenetic fluids.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
J. N. Maki, M. Golombek, W. Banerdt, S. Smrekar, R. Deen, H. Abarca, S. Lu, J. Hall
Summary: Color properties observed at the InSight landing site are a mixture of gray-black rocky material and yellowish-brown dust, consistent with previous Mars missions. The measurements also revealed the chromaticity of Mars daylight and a small color difference between near and far field areas, believed to be caused by dust blown off by the lander rockets during landing. The measurements of the Martian sky also match previous missions with additional variability due to dust loading and the dynamic nature of the atmosphere.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
A. Rudolph, B. Horgan, J. Johnson, K. Bennett, J. Haber, J. F. Bell, V Fox, S. Jacob, S. Maurice, E. Rampe, M. Rice, C. Seeger, R. Wiens
Summary: This article discusses the diagenesis and distribution of clay minerals in the Glen Torridon area of the Gale crater on Mars. The research indicates that there have been multiple episodes of diagenesis, with increasing abundance and diversity from the lower to upper sections. Morphological evidence for different diagenetic stages has also been observed, with the suggestion that the sandstone-dominated Stimson formation acted as a conduit for fluid flow during diagenesis.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
A. Dugdale, N. K. Ramkissoon, P. Fawdon, M. R. Patel, L. Hills, G. Degli-Alessandrini, E. Bonsall, C. Schroder, S. M. R. Turner, C. N. Achilles, V. K. Pearson
Summary: Oxia Planum on Mars is the proposed landing site for the Rosalind Franklin rover mission, which aims to search for signs of life. In anticipation of this mission, a simulant called SOPHIA has been developed to represent the local mineralogy at Oxia Planum and assist in interpreting data from the rover. The simulant was designed based on mineralogy data from comparable sites on Mars and characterized using laboratory techniques.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fares M. Howari, Manish Sharma, Cijo M. Xavier, Yousef Nazzal, Fatima AlAydaroos
Summary: The research conducted detailed chronological and compositional analyses of three unnamed craters on Mars, providing essential knowledge for future manned and unmanned missions. Spectral analysis revealed the primary mineral compositions of oxides and specific minerals in each crater, aiding in a better understanding of the geological formation units on Mars' surface.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jacob B. Adler, James F. Bell, Nicholas H. Warner, Eldar Noe Dobrea, Tanya N. Harrison
Summary: We have created new geomorphic maps of the Hypanis Valles watershed and the Hypanis deposit region, providing new insights into the morphology of these areas. Our mapping was based on various parameters, such as morphology, albedo, thermal inertia, elevation, and spectral parameters. We propose that the Chryse basin was filled with volcanic and aqueous activity during the early Noachian period, and Hypanis Valles was active during the Noachian, forming terminal deposits in the southern Chryse region. The presence of mounds and cones suggests the possibility of sedimentary diapirism or mud volcanism, which should be further investigated for their astrobiological significance.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. Rani, A. Basu Sarbadhikari, D. R. Hood, O. Gasnault, S. Nambiar, S. Karunatillake
Summary: Chemical provinces on Mars were defined using orbital nuclear spectroscopy, but past multivariate analyses showed methodological variability. The southern highlands exhibit non-uniform distribution of K and Th, with higher values in mid Noachian and Hesperian volcanic terrains. Trends of silica- and Al-depletion from Noachian to Amazonian suggest a highly differentiated mantle.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
B. Ye, J. R. Michalski
Summary: Compositional stratigraphy on Mars often shows Al-rich clay minerals overlaying Fe/Mg-rich clay minerals, with some occurrences in settings where the protoliths are likely pyroclastic materials. The presence of clay-bearing deposits in volcanic areas suggests precipitation-driven weathering of ash deposits. The early sedimentary record of Mars may have been dominated by pyroclastic deposits, linking clay minerals to elements of Mars' climate, weathering, and sedimentary processes.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Patrick L. Harner, Martha S. Gilmore
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Martha Gilmore, Allan Treiman, Joern Helbert, Suzanne Smrekar
SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2017)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
M. S. Gilmore, J. W. Head
PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Justin Filiberto, David Trang, Allan H. Treiman, Martha S. Gilmore
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Tibor Kremic, Richard Ghail, Martha Gilmore, Gary Hunter, Walter Kiefer, Sanjay Limaye, Michael Pauken, Carol Tolbert, Colin Wilson
PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
J. F. Brossier, M. S. Gilmore, K. Toner
Article
Geology
Paul K. Byrne, Richard C. Ghail, Martha S. Gilmore, A. M. Celal Sengor, Christian Klimczak, David A. Senske, Jennifer L. Whitten, Sara Khawja, Richard E. Ernst, Sean C. Solomon
Summary: Tesserae on Venus are the stratigraphically oldest units on the planet, characterized by tectonic deformation and curved linear features. The outcrop patterns suggest erosion of these units, with radar-dark materials potentially being deposits of eroded material. This preservation of layering in geographically dispersed tessera units indicates complex geological histories that should be considered in future studies of this enigmatic terrain.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Noam R. Izenberg, Diana M. Gentry, David J. Smith, Martha S. Gilmore, David H. Grinspoon, Mark A. Bullock, Penelope J. Boston, Grzegorz P. Slowik
Summary: Ancient Venus and Earth may have had similar conditions necessary for the development of life, with the possibility that life originated on Venus and has survived through time. The Venus Life Equation introduces a new method for calculating the probability of life on Venus, highlighting areas for future exploration missions to address.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jeremy Brossier, Martha S. Gilmore
Summary: Numerous studies have shown that major Venus highlands exhibit anomalous radar reflectivity and emissivity, likely due to the presence of minerals with high dielectric constants formed through weathering reactions. The variation in radar emissivity with altitude in these highlands can be classified into 7 distinct patterns, indicating at least 2 discrete types of mineralogy. The spatial distribution of radar emissivity classes in different geological settings on Venus may reflect differences in mantle dynamics or changes in atmospheric conditions.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
J. Brossier, M. S. Gilmore, K. Toner, A. J. Stein
Summary: The research on radar emissivity in Venus highlands reveals that ferroelectric minerals formed by chemical weathering in rocks are responsible for the variations in radar emissivity at different altitudes. The study indicates that the composition and volume of ferroelectric minerals in the rocks of different volcanoes may vary over time and with volcanic activity stages.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
P. G. Resor, M. S. Gilmore, B. Straley, D. A. Senske, R. R. Herrick
Summary: By analyzing high-resolution Magellan radar images and stereo topography, researchers have found that folds in Venus' Tessera region may have been formed by dry, silica-rich rocks. These findings suggest that the Tessera terrain on Venus may contain materials that were formed during earlier geologic processes.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jay E. Diffendorfer, Jessica C. Stanton, Julie A. Beston, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Scott R. Loss, Todd E. Katzner, Douglas H. Johnson, Richard A. Erickson, Matt D. Merrill, Margo D. Corum
Summary: The study investigates the potential effects of wind turbine collisions on 14 raptor species, with projections suggesting some species could experience population declines due to turbine collisions in future wind energy scenarios. Certain species may benefit from research to identify tools to prevent or reduce collisions with wind turbines.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gailynn Milligan, Helen M. Poulos, Martha S. Gilmore, Graeme P. Berlyn, Joseph Milligan, Barry Chernoff
Proceedings Paper
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Peter D. Warwick, Mahendra K. Verma, Emil D. Attanasi, Ricardo A. Olea, Madalyn S. Blondes, Philip A. Freeman, Sean T. Brennan, Matthew D. Merrill, Hossein Jahediesfanjani, Jacqueline Roueche, Celeste D. Lohr
13TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES, GHGT-13
(2017)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Nicole A. Arulanantham, William Herbst, Martha S. Gilmore, P. Wilson Cauley, S. K. Leggett
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2017)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Maria Angeles Lopez-Cayuela, Maria-Paz Zorzano, Juan Luis Guerrero-Rascado, Carmen Cordoba-Jabonero
Summary: The atmospheric dust cycle on Mars plays a dominant role in the planetary radiative balance, atmospheric photochemistry escape, and redistribution of materials on the surface. A methodology is presented to accurately describe the annual dust redistribution cycle on Mars using orbital global and seasonal measurements of atmospheric dust opacity. The analysis shows that approximately 4 trillion kilograms of dust is transported globally in the atmosphere during a typical Mars year.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Audrey Vorburger, Shahab Fatemi, Shane R. Carberry Mogan, Andre Galli, Lucas Liuzzo, Andrew R. Poppe, Lorenz Roth, Peter Wurz
Summary: The study presents new model results for the composition of Ganymede's atmosphere, finding that sublimation remains the major source process for H2O, while radiolysis induced by auroral electrons dominates the source fluxes for O2 and H2.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Qi He, Zhi Cao, Yuqi Qian, Hejiu Hui, Ioannis Baziotis, Long Xiao, Zaicong Wang, Biji Luo, Yiheng Li, Zongjun Ying, Yang Li
Summary: The Chang'e-5 mission collected lunar soil containing magnesian troctolitic granulites, which provide valuable information on the composition of the lunar crust. Through analysis and modeling, it is suggested that these granulites may have originated from the Pythagoras crater and were transported to the landing site.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jordan M. Bretzfelder, Kathryn M. Stack, Abigail A. Fraeman, Mackenzie Day, William E. Dietrich, Alexander B. Bryk
Summary: This study investigates the development of bedrock ridges on Mars and their implications for wind history, deposition, and erosion in Gale crater.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lot Ram, Diptiranjan Rout, Rahul Rathi, Paul Withers, Sumanta Sarkhel
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) on the Martian ionosphere, specifically the behavior of the ionospheric peak density and height during ICME passages. The study used observations from the Radio Occultation Science Experiment (ROSE) aboard the MAVEN spacecraft and selected 8 ICMEs from existing catalogs. The results show that ICMEs lead to an elevation of the ionospheric peak height and a decrease in peak density, and propose that vertical pressure gradient and electron temperature enhancement are plausible causes for ionospheric variability.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Benoit Jabaud, Riccardo Artoni, Gabriel Tobie, Erwan Le Menn, Patrick Richard
Summary: The Cassini spacecraft discovered active jets of water vapour and ice grains at the South Pole of Enceladus, resulting in the deposit of freshly erupted materials on the moon's icy surface. Similar processes may be happening on Europa as well. Determining the mechanical properties of fresh icy powder-like materials is essential for future landing and sampling missions. The flowability and surface energy of ice powders decrease with increasing temperatures, which may have implications for stable landing and the flow of ice materials on Enceladus and Europa.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lydie Bonal, Eric Quirico, Gilles Montagnac, Mutsumi Komatsu, Yoko Kebukawa, Hikaru Yabuta, Kana Amano, Jens Barosch, Laure Bejach, George D. Cody, Emmanuel Dartois, Alexandre Dazzi, Bradley De Gregorio, Ariane Deniset-Besseau, Jean Duprat, Cecile Engrand, Minako Hashiguchi, Kanami Kamide, David Kilcoyne, Zita Martins, Jeremie Mathurin, Smail Mostefaoui, Larry Nittler, Takuji Ohigashi, Taiga Okumura, Laurent Remusat, Scott Sandford, Miho Shigenaka, Rhonda Stroud, Hiroki Suga, Yoshio Takahashi, Yasuo Takeichi, Yusuke Tamenori, Maximilien Verdier-Paoletti, Shohei Yamashita, Tomoki Nakamura, Hiroshi Naraoka, Takaaki Noguchi, Ryuji Okazaki, Hisayoshi Yurimoto, Shogo Tachibana, Masanao Abe, Akiko Miyazaki, Aiko Nakato, Satoru Nakazawa, Masahiro Nishimura, Tatsuaki Okada, Takanao Saiki, Kanako Sakamoto, Satoshi Tanaka, Fuyuto Terui, Yuichi Tsuda, Tomohiro Usui, Sei-ichiro Watanabe, Toru Yada, Kasumi Yogata, Makota Yoshikawa
Summary: This paper focuses on characterizing the thermal history of asteroid Ryugu by studying the structure of polyaromatic carbonaceous matter in the returned samples. The study finds that there is no structural difference in the polyaromatic component between the two sampling sites on Ryugu, indicating that the thermal metamorphism related to radioactive decay was not significant. However, some structural variability is observed within the particle set.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
M. Luginin, A. Fedorova, D. Belyaev, F. Montmessin, O. Korablev, J. -l. Bertaux
Summary: Spectroscopic solar occultation measurements by the SPICAV/SOIR instrument onboard the Venus Express orbiter provided new data on the upper haze aerosol properties, its distribution, and variations. A joint analysis of data from two spectrometers revealed a bimodal distribution in about 50% of observations previously believed to be unimodal, and characterized the size distribution 10 km higher in the atmosphere compared to previous analysis.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
A. Mahieux, S. Viscardy, K. L. Jessup, F. P. Mills, L. Trompet, S. Robert, S. Aoki, A. Piccialli, A. C. Vandaele
Summary: We report on the mean upper limit number densities and volume concentrations of H2CO, O-3, NH3, HCN, N2O, NO2, NO, and HO2 at the Venus terminator above the cloud layer. Attempts to detect these species using a statistical algorithm and the method presented by Trompet et al. (2021) were unsuccessful, and upper limits of detection are provided.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
P. M. Streeter, S. R. Lewis, M. R. Patel, J. A. Holmes, K. Rajendran
Summary: The northern polar vortex on Mars shows a high degree of interannual repeatability in its structure and evolution, except during large dust storms. The seasonal timing of these storms seems to be the key factor determining their impacts on the polar vortex.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Michael T. Mellon, Hanna G. Sizemore, Jennifer L. Heldmann, Christopher P. McKay, Carol R. Stoker
Summary: The search for life is a major focus of Mars exploration, with temperature and water activity being key factors for habitability. The most recent habitable conditions occurred about 510 kyrs ago and lasted for about 10s of kyrs each occurrence. All latitudes offer potential for life exploration, but middle-latitude sites have access to 100-kyr-old ice that experienced past habitable conditions, while high-latitude sites offer access to ancient ice over 1 Myrs old.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Anthony Ozerov, Jeffrey C. Smith, Jessie L. Dotson, Randolph S. Longenbaugh, Robert L. Morris
Summary: The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instruments, with their large combined field of view, are useful for studying the population of atmospheric phenomena like bolides. However, there are biases when using GLM for non-lightning purposes, which need to be studied and accounted for before precise measurements of bolide flux can be obtained. A Bayesian Poisson regression model was developed to estimate instrumental biases and the latitudinal variation of bolide flux concurrently. The estimated bias corresponds to the known sensitivity of the GLM instruments, and the latitudinal flux variation estimates are consistent with a strong bias towards high-velocity bolides, as compared to existing theoretical models.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
P. Beck, P. Y. Meslin, A. Fau, O. Forni, O. Gasnault, J. Lasue, A. Cousin, S. Schroeder, S. Maurice, W. Rapin, R. C. Wiens, A. M. Ollila, E. Dehouck, N. Mangold, B. Garcia, S. Schwartz, W. Goetz, N. Lanza
Summary: Analysis of data obtained by ChemCam on Mars reveals that the carbon signal is mainly related to ionization of the atmosphere, with variability potentially linked to the physical state of the atmosphere. Up to sol 3355, no carbonate was detected in the ChemCam dataset, suggesting that it is not a major constituent (>50%) in the analyzed targets and that carbon in soils is not enriched beyond the limit of detection. The dominant salts found in Gale are sulfate and chlorides, while the absence of carbonates, seen in Jezero, may be due to differences in protolith.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Eloy Pena-Asensio, Jaakko Visuri, Josep M. Trigo-Rodriguez, Hector Socas-Navarro, Maria Gritsevich, Markku Siljama, Albert Rimola
Summary: The observation of interstellar objects 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov suggests the existence of a larger population of smaller projectiles that impact our planet with unbound orbits. A statistical evaluation of uncertainties in the CNEOS database and study of its hyperbolic fireballs reveals an anisotropic geocentric radiant distribution and low orbital inclinations, challenging the assumption of a randomly incoming interstellar population. These findings suggest that apparent interstellar meteors may, in fact, be the result of accelerated meteoroid impacts caused by close encounters with massive objects within or passing through our solar system.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Cecilia W. S. Leung, Leslie K. Tamppari, David M. Kass, German Martinez, Erik Fischer, Michael D. Smith
Summary: Using a combination of orbital and surface observations, this study investigates the vertical distribution of water vapor in the lower atmospheres of Mars. The findings suggest that the assumption of uniformly mixed water vapor in the boundary layer is not always consistent with observational constraints. The results provide important insights into the seasonal transport of water and the role of regolith-atmospheric exchange.
