来自机遇号的微观成像器的证据表明,在Meridiani Planum上存在水
K E Herkenhoff1, S W Squyres, R Arvidson
1U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Team, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA. kherkenhoff@usgs.gov
概括
机遇探测器 机遇探测器
科学领域:
- 地质地质地质地质地质地
- 行星科学 行星科学
- 火星的探索火星的探索
背景情况:
- 在Meridiani Planum的火星表面表现出各种各样的地质特征.
- 了解土壤和岩石质地,可以了解火星过去的环境.
研究的目的:
- 在Meridiani Planum分析土壤和岩石的微尺度纹理.
- 研究地质特征的形成过程,包括血球体.
主要方法:
- 使用了机遇探测器上的微观成像仪.
- 分析了土壤和岩石纹理的图像,分辨率为每像素31微米.
- 创建图像马赛克来研究沉积物结构,如交叉分层.
主要成果:
- 一些土壤在上一毫米内表现出微弱的凝固,而另一些则缺乏凝聚力.
- 岩石突出中的毫米尺度分层和交叉分层表明流水的沉积.
- 岩石表面的浮纹可能代表了化过程中可溶性矿物质的溶解模具.
- 微观证据支持血丰富的球体的代谢具体起源.
结论:
- 微纹理表明,在Meridiani Planum的土壤特性和沉积过程各不相同.
- 证据表明,过去的水活动和基因改变塑造了火星表面.
- 黑白石球体很可能是作为火星土壤和岩石记录中的代谢具体物形成的.
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