scholarly journals Long-Distance 3D Reconstructions Using Photogrammetry with Curiosity’s ChemCam Remote Micro-Imager in Gale Crater (Mars)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 4068
Author(s):  
Gwénaël Caravaca ◽  
Stéphane Le Mouélic ◽  
William Rapin ◽  
Gilles Dromart ◽  
Olivier Gasnault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Length ◽  
Science Laboratory ◽  
Pixel Size ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Sedimentary Deposits ◽  
Geological Features ◽  
3D Information ◽  
First Time ◽  
Digital Outcrop

The Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity landed in Gale crater (Mars) in August 2012. It has since been studying the lower part of the 5 km-high sedimentary pile that composes Gale’s central mound, Aeolis Mons. To assess the sedimentary record, the MSL team mainly uses a suite of imagers onboard the rover, providing various pixel sizes and fields of view from close to long-range observations. For this latter, we notably use the Remote Micro Imager (RMI), a subsystem of the ChemCam instrument that acts as 700 mm-focal length telescope, providing the smallest angular pixel size of the set of cameras on the Remote Sensing Mast. The RMI allows observations of remote outcrops up to a few kilometers away from the rover. As retrieving 3D information is critical to characterize the structures of the sedimentary deposits, we describe in this work an experiment aiming at computing for the first time with RMI Digital Outcrop Models of these distant outcrops. We show that Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry can successfully be applied to suitable sets of individual RMI frames to reconstruct the 3D shape and relief of these distant outcrops. These results show that a dedicated set of observations can be envisaged to characterize the most interesting geological features surrounding the 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 A Review of the Phyllosilicates in Gale Crater as Detected by the CheMin Instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity Rover

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 847
Author(s):  
Valerie M. Tu ◽  
Elizabeth B. Rampe ◽  
Thomas F. Bristow ◽  
Michael T. Thorpe ◽  
Joanna V. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Science Laboratory ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Mars Science Laboratory ◽  
Microbial Life ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Sedimentary Deposits ◽  
Aqueous Environments ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
Strategic Goal ◽  
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.

scholarly journals LONG DISTANCE OBSERVATIONS WITH THE CHEMCAM REMOTE MICRO-IMAGER: MOUNT SHARP AND RELATED SEDIMENTARY DEPOSITS ON GALE CRATER FLOOR?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horton E. Newsom ◽  
◽  
Olivier Gasnault ◽  
Stéphane Le Mouélic ◽  
N. Mangold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crater Floor ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Gale Crater ◽  
Sedimentary Deposits

scholarly journals Chromosomal painting of the sandpiper (Actitis macularius) detects several fissions for the Scolopacidae family (Charadriiformes)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melquizedec Luiz Silva Pinheiro ◽  
Cleusa Yoshiko Nagamachi ◽  
Talita Fernanda Augusto Ribas ◽  
Cristovam Guerreiro Diniz ◽  
Patricia Caroline Mary O´Brien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Painting ◽  
Diploid Number ◽  
Chromosomal Evolution ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Chromosomal Painting ◽  
Cytogenetic Studies ◽  
Burhinus Oedicnemus ◽  
Clear Idea ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background The Scolopacidae family (Suborder Scolopaci, Charadriiformes) is composed of sandpipers and snipes; these birds are long-distance migrants that show great diversity in their behavior and habitat use. Cytogenetic studies in the Scolopacidae family show the highest diploid numbers for order Charadriiformes. This work analyzes for the first time the karyotype of Actitis macularius by classic cytogenetics and chromosome painting. Results The species has a diploid number of 92, composed mostly of telocentric pairs. This high 2n is greater than the proposed 80 for the avian ancestral putative karyotype (a common feature among Scolopaci), suggesting that fission rearrangements have formed smaller macrochromosomes and microchromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using Burhinus oedicnemus whole chromosome probes confirmed the fissions in pairs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of macrochromosomes. Conclusion Comparative analysis with other species of Charadriiformes studied by chromosome painting together with the molecular phylogenies for the order allowed us to raise hypotheses about the chromosomal evolution in suborder Scolopaci. From this, we can establish a clear idea of how chromosomal evolution occurred in this suborder.

scholarly journals New evidence of arsenic translocation and accumulation in Pteris vittata from real-time imaging using positron-emitting 74As tracer

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Huang-Takeshi Kohda ◽  
Zhaojie Qian ◽  
Mei-Fang Chien ◽  
Keisuke Miyauchi ◽  
Ginro Endo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Imaging System ◽  
Pteris Vittata ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Long Distance Transport ◽  
Hydroponic Cultivation ◽  
Tracer Imaging ◽  
Serial Images ◽  
First Time ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Hyperaccumulator Plant

AbstractPteris vittata is an arsenic (As) hyperaccumulator plant that accumulates a large amount of As into fronds and rhizomes (around 16,000 mg/kg in both after 16 weeks hydroponic cultivation with 30 mg/L arsenate). However, the sequence of long-distance transport of As in this hyperaccumulator plant is unclear. In this study, we used a positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) for the first time to obtain noninvasive serial images of As behavior in living plants with positron-emitting 74As-labeled tracer. We found that As kept accumulating in rhizomes as in fronds of P. vittata, whereas As was retained in roots of a non-accumulator plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Autoradiograph results of As distribution in P. vittata showed that with low As exposure, As was predominantly accumulated in young fronds and the midrib and rachis of mature fronds. Under high As exposure, As accumulation shifted from young fronds to mature fronds, especially in the margin of pinna, which resulted in necrotic symptoms, turning the marginal color to gray and then brown. Our results indicated that the function of rhizomes in P. vittata was As accumulation and the regulation of As translocation to the mature fronds to protect the young fronds under high As exposure.

scholarly journals The Surface Energy Budget at Gale Crater during the first 2500 sols of the Mars Science Laboratory mission

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Martínez ◽  
A. Vicente‐Retortillo ◽  
A. R. Vasavada ◽  
C. E. Newman ◽  
E. Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Energy ◽  
Energy Budget ◽  
Surface Energy Budget ◽  
Science Laboratory ◽  
Mars Science Laboratory ◽  
Gale Crater

scholarly journals First record of the land operculate snail Cyclophorus pfeifferi Reeve, 1861 (Mollusca, Cyclophoroidea, Cyclophoridae) from India

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61
Author(s):  
Sheikh Sajan ◽  
Deepti Kumari ◽  
Sonam Jahan ◽  
Arghya Chakrabarty ◽  
Sandeep Kushwaha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Expansion ◽  
East Asian ◽  
First Record ◽  
Land Snail ◽  
Long Distance Dispersal ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Tiger Reserve ◽  
Dispersal Abilities ◽  
First Time

Through the present manuscript, we are reporting for the first time the presence of Cyclophorus pfeifferi Reeve, 1861 in India. Previously, this species of land snail was reported only from South-East Asian countries Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The specimens were collected during field sur- veys in Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram state, India. The presence of C. pfeifferi in India reveals the range expansion and long-distance dispersal abilities of the species. Here we discuss the taxonomy, ecology and possible routes of dispersal of the species in India.

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