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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
07:01
Frequency Mixing Magnetic Detection Scanner for Imaging Magnetic Particles in Planar Samples
Published on: June 9, 2016
Magnetic properties experiments on the Mars Pathfinder lander: preliminary results
S F Hviid1, M B Madsen, H P Gunnlaugsson
1Oersted Laboratory, Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics, and Geophysics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 31, 1997
Summary
Magnetic particles in Mars
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Geochemistry
- Atmospheric Science
Background:
- Martian atmospheric particles exhibit magnetic properties.
- These particles are primarily composed of ferric oxide (Fe2O3), potentially maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the magnetic properties and composition of Martian atmospheric particles.
- To infer the origin and formation pathways of these magnetic particles.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of magnetic properties, including saturation magnetization.
- Mineralogical examination to identify iron oxide phases (Fe2O3, gamma-Fe2O3).
Main Results:
- Martian atmospheric particles possess an average saturation magnetization of 4 A. m2/kg.
- The particles are likely claylike aggregates cemented by ferric oxide, with maghemite as a probable component.
Conclusions:
- The presence of maghemite suggests leaching of Fe2+ ions from bedrock into liquid water.
- Particles may originate from freeze-dried groundwater precipitates or be inherited from basaltic precursors as titanomagnetite.
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