scholarly journals Correction for Stern et al., Evidence for indigenous nitrogen in sedimentary and aeolian deposits from the Curiosity rover investigations at Gale crater, Mars

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (23) ◽  
pp. E3085-E3085 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gale Crater ◽  
Aeolian Deposits ◽  
Curiosity Rover

scholarly journals Evidence for indigenous nitrogen in sedimentary and aeolian deposits from the Curiosity rover investigations at Gale crater, Mars

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (14) ◽  
pp. 4245-4250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer C. Stern ◽  
Brad Sutter ◽  
Caroline Freissinet ◽  
Rafael Navarro-González ◽  
Christopher P. McKay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Cycle ◽  
Volcanic Plume ◽  
Science Laboratory ◽  
Fixed Nitrogen ◽  
Total N ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Sedimentary Deposits ◽  
Aeolian Deposits ◽  
Aeolian Sediments ◽  
Curiosity Rover

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) investigation on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover has detected oxidized nitrogen-bearing compounds during pyrolysis of scooped aeolian sediments and drilled sedimentary deposits within Gale crater. Total N concentrations ranged from 20 to 250 nmol N per sample. After subtraction of known N sources in SAM, our results support the equivalent of 110–300 ppm of nitrate in the Rocknest (RN) aeolian samples, and 70–260 and 330–1,100 ppm nitrate in John Klein (JK) and Cumberland (CB) mudstone deposits, respectively. Discovery of indigenous martian nitrogen in Mars surface materials has important implications for habitability and, specifically, for the potential evolution of a nitrogen cycle at some point in martian history. The detection of nitrate in both wind-drifted fines (RN) and in mudstone (JK, CB) is likely a result of N2 fixation to nitrate generated by thermal shock from impact or volcanic plume lightning on ancient Mars. Fixed nitrogen could have facilitated the development of a primitive nitrogen cycle on the surface of ancient Mars, potentially providing a biochemically accessible source of nitrogen.

scholarly journals Alternating wet and dry depositional environments recorded in the stratigraphy of Mount Sharp at Gale crater, Mars

Geology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Rapin ◽  
G. Dromart ◽  
D. Rubin ◽  
L. Le Deit ◽  
N. Mangold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Depositional Sequence ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Aeolian Deposits ◽  
Bearing Unit ◽  
Curiosity Rover

The Curiosity rover is exploring Hesperian-aged stratigraphy in Gale crater, Mars, where a transition from clay-bearing units to a layered sulfate-bearing unit has been interpreted to represent a major environmental transition of unknown character. We present the first description of key facies in the sulfate-bearing unit, recently observed in the distance by the rover, and propose a model for changes in depositional environments. Our results indicate a transition from lacustrine mudstones into thick aeolian deposits, topped by a major deflation surface, above which strata show architectures likely diagnostic of a subaqueous environment. This model offers a reference example of a depositional sequence for layered sulfate-bearing strata, which have been identified from orbit in other locations globally. It differs from the idea of a monotonic Hesperian climate change into long-term aridity on Mars and instead implies a period characterized by multiple transitions between sustained drier and wetter climates.

MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF MARTIAN EOLIAN BEDFORMS AS REVEALED BY THE CURIOSITY ROVER AT GALE CRATER, MARS

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu G.A. Lapotre ◽  
◽  
Ryan C. Ewing ◽  
Ryan C. Ewing ◽  
Michael P. Lamb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Curiosity Rover

scholarly journals Scientists Turn Back Time to Track Methane Emissions on Mars

Eos ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
JoAnna Wendel
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Curiosity Rover

Period spikes of methane on Mars could originate inside Gale crater, where NASA’s Curiosity rover is currently exploring.s

A surface gravity traverse on Mars indicates low bedrock density at Gale crater

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 363 (6426) ◽  
pp. 535-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin W. Lewis ◽  
Stephen Peters ◽  
Kurt Gonter ◽  
Shaunna Morrison ◽  
Nicholas Schmerr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Field ◽  
Precise Measurement ◽  
Attitude Determination ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Gravitational Acceleration ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Rock Density ◽  
Gravitational Fields ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Curiosity Rover

Gravimetry, the precise measurement of gravitational fields, can be used to probe the internal structure of Earth and other planets. The Curiosity rover on Mars carries accelerometers normally used for navigation and attitude determination. We have recalibrated them to isolate the signature of the changing gravitational acceleration as the rover climbs through Gale crater. The subsurface rock density is inferred from the measured decrease in gravitational field strength with elevation. The density of the sedimentary rocks in Gale crater is 1680 ± 180 kilograms per cubic meter. This value is lower than expected, indicating a high porosity and constraining maximum burial depths of the rocks over their history.

scholarly journals Gale crater: the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity Rover Landing Site

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Wray
Keyword(s):  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Spectral Properties ◽  
Landing Site ◽  
Science Laboratory ◽  
Deep Lakes ◽  
Mars Science Laboratory ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Diagenetic Processes ◽  
Curiosity Rover

AbstractGale crater formed from an impact on Mars ∼3.6 billion years ago. It hosts a central mound nearly 100 km wide and ∼5 km high, consisting of layered rocks with a variety of textures and spectral properties. The oldest exposed layers contain variably hydrated sulphates and smectite clay minerals, implying an aqueous origin, whereas the younger layers higher on the mound are covered by a mantle of dust. Fluvial channels carved into the crater walls and the lower mound indicate that surface liquids were present during and after deposition of the mound material. Numerous hypotheses have been advocated for the origin of some or all minerals and layers in the mound, ranging from deep lakes to playas to mostly dry dune fields to airfall dust or ash subjected to only minor alteration driven by snowmelt. The complexity of the mound suggests that multiple depositional and diagenetic processes are represented in the materials exposed today. Beginning in August 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity will explore Gale crater by ascending the mound's northwestern flank, providing unprecedented new detail on the evolution of environmental conditions and habitability over many millions of years during which the mound strata accumulated.

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