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Article: The mawrth vallis region of mars: A potential landing site for the mars science laboratory (MSL) mission

TitleThe mawrth vallis region of mars: A potential landing site for the mars science laboratory (MSL) mission
Authors
KeywordsPlanetary science
Clays
Habitability
Infrared spectroscopy
Mars
Issue Date2010
Citation
Astrobiology, 2010, v. 10, n. 7, p. 687-703 How to Cite?
AbstractThe primary objective of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, which will launch in 2011, is to characterize the habitability of a site on Mars through detailed analyses of the composition and geological context of surface materials. Within the framework of established mission goals, we have evaluated the value of a possible landing site in the Mawrth Vallis region of Mars that is targeted directly on some of the most geologically and astrobiologically enticing materials in the Solar System. The area around Mawrth Vallis contains a vast (>1×106km2) deposit of phyllosilicate-rich, ancient, layered rocks. A thick (>150m) stratigraphic section that exhibits spectral evidence for nontronite, montmorillonite, amorphous silica, kaolinite, saponite, other smectite clay minerals, ferrous mica, and sulfate minerals indicates a rich geological history that may have included multiple aqueous environments. Because phyllosilicates are strong indicators of ancient aqueous activity, and the preservation potential of biosignatures within sedimentary clay deposits is high, martian phyllosilicate deposits are desirable astrobiological targets. The proposed MSL landing site at Mawrth Vallis is located directly on the largest and most phyllosilicate-rich deposit on Mars and is therefore an excellent place to explore for evidence of life or habitability. © Copyright 2010, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Persistent Identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/236653
ISSN
2023 Impact Factor: 3.5
2023 SCImago Journal Rankings: 1.078
ISI Accession Number ID

 

DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributor.authorMichalski, Joseph R.-
dc.contributor.authorBibring, Jean Pierre-
dc.contributor.authorPoulet, François-
dc.contributor.authorLoizeau, Damien-
dc.contributor.authorMangold, Nicolas-
dc.contributor.authorDobrea, Eldar Noe-
dc.contributor.authorBishop, Janice L.-
dc.contributor.authorWray, James J.-
dc.contributor.authorMcKeown, Nancy K.-
dc.contributor.authorParente, Mario-
dc.contributor.authorHauber, Ernst-
dc.contributor.authorAltieri, Francesca-
dc.contributor.authorCarrozzo, F. Giacomo-
dc.contributor.authorNiles, Paul B.-
dc.date.accessioned2016-12-01T09:08:31Z-
dc.date.available2016-12-01T09:08:31Z-
dc.date.issued2010-
dc.identifier.citationAstrobiology, 2010, v. 10, n. 7, p. 687-703-
dc.identifier.issn1531-1074-
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/236653-
dc.description.abstractThe primary objective of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, which will launch in 2011, is to characterize the habitability of a site on Mars through detailed analyses of the composition and geological context of surface materials. Within the framework of established mission goals, we have evaluated the value of a possible landing site in the Mawrth Vallis region of Mars that is targeted directly on some of the most geologically and astrobiologically enticing materials in the Solar System. The area around Mawrth Vallis contains a vast (>1×106km2) deposit of phyllosilicate-rich, ancient, layered rocks. A thick (>150m) stratigraphic section that exhibits spectral evidence for nontronite, montmorillonite, amorphous silica, kaolinite, saponite, other smectite clay minerals, ferrous mica, and sulfate minerals indicates a rich geological history that may have included multiple aqueous environments. Because phyllosilicates are strong indicators of ancient aqueous activity, and the preservation potential of biosignatures within sedimentary clay deposits is high, martian phyllosilicate deposits are desirable astrobiological targets. The proposed MSL landing site at Mawrth Vallis is located directly on the largest and most phyllosilicate-rich deposit on Mars and is therefore an excellent place to explore for evidence of life or habitability. © Copyright 2010, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.-
dc.languageeng-
dc.relation.ispartofAstrobiology-
dc.subjectPlanetary science-
dc.subjectClays-
dc.subjectHabitability-
dc.subjectInfrared spectroscopy-
dc.subjectMars-
dc.titleThe mawrth vallis region of mars: A potential landing site for the mars science laboratory (MSL) mission-
dc.typeArticle-
dc.description.naturelink_to_subscribed_fulltext-
dc.identifier.doi10.1089/ast.2010.0491-
dc.identifier.pmid20950170-
dc.identifier.scopuseid_2-s2.0-77958158671-
dc.identifier.volume10-
dc.identifier.issue7-
dc.identifier.spage687-
dc.identifier.epage703-
dc.identifier.isiWOS:000283483100002-
dc.identifier.issnl1557-8070-

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