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MSL WS2, October 25, 2007
OMEGA proposed sites in Mawrth Vallis
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J-P. Bibring, N. Mangold, D. Loizeau, F. Poulet,
and the OMEGA team
Murchie S., Bishop J., Ehlmann B.L.,
and the CRISM team
MSL WS2, October 25, 2007
OMEGA proposed sites in Mawrth Vallis
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Nili Fossae
blue : kieserite (MgSO4, H2O)
green : polyhydrated sulfates
red : phyllosilicates
yellow : other hydrated minerals
OMEGA map of hydrated minerals at Mars
Mawrth Vallis
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Nili Fossae
OMEGA map of hydrated minerals at Mars
Jack Mustard’s and Nicolas Mangold’s talks
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OMEGA map of hydrated minerals at Mars
Mawrth Vallis
this talk
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Ares Vallis Mawrth Vallis
Meridiani planum
Chryse Planitia
Arabia Terra
Ares Vallis
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contextHRSC mosaic
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contexthydration (1.93 µm)
25 km Ø
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hydration (1.93 µm) phyllosilicates
25 km Ø
green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm)
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Mawrth Vallis constitutes the region at the surface of Mars where one finds
1. the higher surface area of phyllosilicates (10’s km)2. the larger concentration of phyllosilicates (> 40 %)3. the wider variety of phyllosilicate composition4. coupled structural and compositional layering at all scales5. easy access to mafics
MSL WS2, October 25, 2007
OMEGA proposed sites in Mawrth Vallis
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HCPhydration (1.93 µm)
The bed and its opening are filled with HCP-rich anhydrous minerals
25 km Ø
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Mawrth Vallis constitutes the region at the surface of Mars where one finds
1. the higher surface area of phyllosilicates2. the larger concentration of phyllosilicates3. the wider variety of phyllosilicate composition4. coupled structural and compositional layering at all scales5. easy access to mafics
There exists a variety of sites to be explored, with similar scientific interest, which offers a large flexibility for safety criteria to be added.
We have identified 3 favored sites, exhibiting the 5 major characteristics quoted, briefly described in the coming slides.
MSL WS2, October 25, 2007
OMEGA proposed sites in Mawrth Vallis
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HCPhydration (1.93 µm)
1 1
2 2
3 325 km Ø
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hydration (1.93 µm) phyllosilicates
1 1
2 2
3 3
green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm)
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Viking context
12
3 Material of interestfills almost theentire ellipses
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Mawrth Vallis site 1
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HCPhydration (1.93 µm)
25 km Ø
338.9 E 24.5 N
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hydration (1.93 µm) phyllosilicates
1 1
green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm)
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HRSC color composite
10 km
SPOT 2 (338.85,24.40)
SPOT3 (338.875,24.33)
SPOT 1 (338.80,24.63)
600 m large spots
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HRSC color
100 m contoursHRSC DEM
green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm) blue; hydrated minerals (1.93 µm)
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A paleosurface withcraters covers the southof the site:
Phyllosilicate-rich layershave formed over thissurface as shown by thefilled craters
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W
E
cross section of site 1
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S
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HRSC DEM(100 m contours)
slopes <1°at regional scale
elevation: - 3km
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MOC scale
Relatively rough
No HIRISE here yet
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Mawrth Vallis site 2
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HCPhydration (1.93 µm)
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hydration (1.93 µm) phyllosilicates
green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm)
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HRSC color
green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm) blue; hydrated minerals (1.93 µm)
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HRSC DEMcontours 100 m
slopes: <2°
elevation: - 2.5 km
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500 m
MOC scale
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Mawrth Vallis site 3
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HCPhydration (1.93 µm)
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hydration (1.93 µm) phyllosilicates
green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm)
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HRSC color
100 m contoursHRSC DEM
green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm) blue; hydrated minerals (1.93 µm)
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green: Al-OH rich phyllosilicate (2.20 µm) red: Mg/Fe rich phyllosilicate (2.30 µm)HRSC color composite
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E
Landing Site 3
N S
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elevation: < - 2 km
slopes at km scale: <1.5°
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1 km
eelatively rough at MOC scale
meter scale roughness
Requires HIRISE
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Mawrth Vallis constitutes the region at the surface of Mars where one finds
1. the higher surface area of phyllosilicates2. the larger concentration of phyllosilicates3. the wider variety of phyllosilicate composition4. coupled structural and compositional layering at all scales
MSL WS2, October 25, 2007
OMEGA proposed sites in Mawrth Vallis
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Loizeau et al. (2007)
HydrationFe/Mg-clayAl-clay
by courtesy of James Wray
Next slide
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Hydrated but no diagnostic metal-OH absorptions
2.30 μm1.91 μm
2.20 μm1.91 μm
1.4 μm
Strongest Al-OH Strongest Fe/Mg-OH
“Typical” metal-OH
CRISM Ratio
Spectra
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100 m
Key
BD1900 = Hydrated
BD2200 = Al-rich phyllos
BD2300 = Fe/Mg-rich phyllos
CRISM FRT_3BFB on HiRISE PSP_2140_2025
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100 m
2
3
4
1
Key
BD1900 = Hydrated
BD2200 = Al-rich phyllos
BD2300 = Fe/Mg-rich phyllos
CRISM FRT_3BFB on HiRISE PSP_2140_2025
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Mawrth Vallis constitutes the region at the surface of Mars where one finds
1. the higher surface area of phyllosilicates2. the larger concentration of phyllosilicates3. the wider variety of phyllosilicate composition4. coupled structural and compositional layering at all scales5. easy access to mafics
There exists a variety of sites to be explored, with almost equal scientific interest, which offers a large flexibility for safety criteria to be added.
We have identified 3 favored sites, exhibiting the 5 major characteristics.
MSL WS2, October 25, 2007
OMEGA proposed sites in Mawrth Vallis
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Mawrth Vallis constitutes the region at the surface of Mars where one finds
1. the higher surface area of phyllosilicates2. the larger concentration of phyllosilicates3. the wider variety of phyllosilicate composition4. coupled structural and compositional layering at all scales5. easy access to mafics
There exists a variety of sites to be explored, with almost equal scientific interest, which offers a large flexibility for safety criteria to be added.
We have identified 3 favored sites, exhibiting the 5 major characteristics.
We are ready to cooperate with the Project in an in-depth study, combining OMEGA data with other data sets (HRSC, CRISM and HIRISE, TES and THEMIS primarily) to optimize the site selection and increase the overall mission robustness at system and science level.
MSL WS2, October 25, 2007
OMEGA proposed sites in Mawrth Vallis
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Summary
1. Ideal sites to sample phyllosilicates of potential astrobiological relevance
2. Largest variety of composition, from Mg/Fe smectites → Al-rich ones
3. Diagnostic coupling of compositional / structural layering down fine-scale
4. Access to both LCP-rich and HCP-rich materials
5. Elevation, slopes and thermal inertia (200-400 SI) favorable
6. Analyses doable right upon landing (no go to sites)
MSL WS2, October 25, 2007
OMEGA proposed sites in Mawrth Vallis
Go Phyllosian: Go Mawrth