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The Nitrate/Perchlorate Ratio on Mars as an Indicator for HabitabilityDiscovery of indigenous martian nitrogen in Mars surface materials has important implications for habitability and the potential development of a nitrogen cycle at some point in martian history. The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover detected evolved nitric oxide (NO) gas during pyrolysis of scooped aeolian sediments and drilled mudstone acquired in Gale Crater. The detection of NO suggests an indigenous source of fixed N, and may indicate a mineralogical sink for atmospheric N2 in the form of nitrate. The ratio of nitrate to oxychlorine species (e.g. perchlorate) may provide insight into the extent of development of a nitrogen cycle on Mars.
Document ID
20150001921
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Stern, J. C. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Sutter, B. (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
McKay, C. P.
Navarro-Gonzalex, R. (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico)
Freissinet, C. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Conrad, P. G. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Mahaffy, P. R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Archer, P. D., Jr. (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Ming, D. W. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Niles, P. B. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Zorzano, M.-P. (Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial Torrejon de Ardoz, Spain)
Martin-Torres, F. J. (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra Granada, Spain)
Date Acquired
February 23, 2015
Publication Date
March 16, 2015
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-32775
Report Number: JSC-CN-32775
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: March 16, 2015
End Date: March 20, 2015
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Inst.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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