Evidence for a Global Martian Soil Composition Extends to Gale CraterThe eolian bedform within Gale Crater referred to as "Rocknest" was investigated by the science instruments of the Curiosity Mars rover. Physical, chemical and mineralogical results are consistent with data collected from soils at other landing sites, suggesting a globally-similar composition. Results from the Curiosity payload from Rocknest should be considered relevant beyond a single, localized region with Gale Crater, providing key insights into planetary scale processes.
Document ID
20130009717
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Yen, A. S. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Gellert, R. (Guelph Univ. Ontario, Canada)
Clark, B. C. (Space Science Inst. Boulder, CO, United States)
Ming, D. W. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
King, P. L. (Australian National Univ. Canberra, Australia)
Schmidt, M. E. (Brock Univ. Saint Catherines, Ontario, Canada)
Leshin, L. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Troy, NY, United States)
Morris, R. V. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Squyres, S. W. (Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)