A Review of the Phyllosilicates in Gale Crater as Detected by the CheMin Instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity Rover

Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, landed on Mars in August 2012 to investigate the ~3.5-billion-year-old (Ga) fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary deposits of Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) and the surrounding plains (Aeolis Palus) in Gale crater. After nearly nine years, Curiosity has traversed over 25 km, and the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) X-ray diffraction instrument on-board Curiosity has analyzed 30 drilled rock and three scooped soil samples to date. The principal strategic goal of the mission is to assess the habitability of Mars in its ancient past. Phyllosilicates are common in ancient Martian terrains dating to ~3.5–4 Ga and were detected from orbit in some of the lower strata of Mount Sharp. Phyllosilicates on Earth are important for harboring and preserving organics. On Mars, phyllosilicates are significant for exploration as they are hypothesized to be a marker for potential habitable environments. CheMin data demonstrate that ancient fluvio-lacustrine rocks in Gale crater contain up to ~35 wt. % phyllosilicates. Phyllosilicates are key indicators of past fluid–rock interactions, and variation in the structure and composition of phyllosilicates in Gale crater suggest changes in past aqueous environments that may have been habitable to microbial life with a variety of possible energy sources.

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Terrain physical properties derived from orbital data and the first 360 sols of Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover observations in Gale Crater

Journal of Geophysical Research Planets ◽

10.1002/2013je004605 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 119 (6) ◽

pp. 1322-1344 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

R. E. Arvidson ◽

P. Bellutta ◽

F. Calef ◽

A. A. Fraeman ◽

J. B. Garvin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Science Laboratory ◽

Mars Science Laboratory ◽

Gale Crater ◽

Orbital Data ◽

Curiosity Rover

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

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1420932112 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 112 (14) ◽

pp. 4245-4250 ◽

Cited By ~ 96

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.

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

International Journal of Astrobiology ◽

10.1017/s1473550412000328 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 25-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

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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