PowerPoint Presentation

Southern Nili Fossae Trough

Examination of in situ carbonate-bearing layers and habitability in an ancient hydrothermal environmentC. Viviano-Beck, A. Brown, E. Amador, J. Mustard, and K. CannonNOTE ADDED BY JPL WEBMASTER: This content has not been approved or adopted by, NASA, JPL, or the California Institute of Technology. This document is being made available for information purposes only, and any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of NASA, JPL, or the California Institute of Technology.Proposed landing site: Southern Nili Fossae Trough

South of the Nili Fossae Trough site

Within Mars 2020 elevation constraints

Stratigraphy similar to that exposed in the north; includes strong carbonate signature

Cache significantly diverse material that is in-place (known context)Proposed landing site: Southern Nili Fossae Trough

Elevation: Relatively low slope to drive out of trough and access phyllosilicates and plateauLanding Ellipse statsMOLA slope:

0 5 10 15 20 25

Proposed landing site: Southern Nili Fossae Trough

High resolution coverage in and around the landing ellipseMAF

CRISM (FRT & HRL)

HiRISESuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity within landing ellipse: Primary (igneous) mineralogyMAFOlivine (OLINDEX3)LCP (LCPINDEX2)HCP (HCPINDEX2)Evolving primary compositions?Land-on unaltered volcanic Hesperian plains (age-dating)SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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MAFOLINDEX3LCPINDEX2HCPINDEX2

IR AlbedoR1330Diversity within/outside landing ellipse: Primary (igneous) mineralogy

SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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NESuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity within landing ellipse: Noachian primary/alteredBD1900R2D2300BD1400

OLINDEX3LCPINDEX2HCPINDEX2SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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HiRISE analysis:Fan?/debris flow?

300 mESP_016496_2000SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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HiRISE analysis:Fan?/debris flow?

300 mESP_016496_2000SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

12Diversity within landing ellipse: Noachian primary/alteredLand-on in place unaltered volcanic Hesperian plains (age-dating)

Hesperian flow characteristics (magmatic evolution of Syrtis Major through mineralogic/elemental analysis, flow layers/thickness with GPR)

Ancient Noachian LCP-bearing material (ancient crust composition, mineralogic/elemental analysis)

Determine composition of Noachian alteration material (constrain alteration temperature, fluid composition, pH, etc.)SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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NEAlterationUnalteredExposed contact between altered and unaltered materialSuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

14Diversity just past ellipse: Compositional stratigraphy

IR AlbedoPFMR1330BD2355D2300BD2290OLINDEX3BD1900R2D2300BD1900R2D2300BD1400SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity just past ellipse: Compositional stratigraphy

Laboratory Reflectance

BD1900R2D2300BD1400SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity just past ellipse: Compositional stratigraphy

BD1900R2D2300BD1400Hydration variability?

2.39 m variability

Possible carbonate componentSuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity just past ellipse: LayeringMg-OH bearing layered material below plateau150 mESP_016496_2000

BD1900R2D2300BD1400SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity just past ellipse: LayeringMg-OH bearing layered material below plateau

BD1900R2D2300BD140050 mSuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity just past ellipse: Mega-brecciaMg-OH bearing mega-breccia100 mESP_016496_2000BD1900R2D2300BD1400

SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

20Diversity just past ellipse: Noachian primary/alteredDiscernable contact between unaltered and altered Noachian material (test formation hypotheses)

Compositional stratigraphy of altered material, carbonate component? (diverse alteration conditions, temperature/pH/fluid gradients > energy gradient)

Hydration state of phyllosilicates (human resource)

Layered alteration material at the top of the stack (sedimentary? changing formation mechanism?)

Possibility of mega-breccia provides even more potential diversity

Contact between Syrtis flows and plateau material - nature of Fossae faulting (GPR)SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity on plateau: Carbonates

IR AlbedoR1330MIN2295_2489MIN2345_2537D2300

Carbonate abundance (CO2 sequestration/cycling)SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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Diversity on plateau: Al-OH phases

IR AlbedoR1330BD2165BD2190MIN2200

Pedogenesis? SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

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BD1900R2D2300BD1400Diversity on plateau: FracturesErosionally-resistant fracture fill

50 mESP_016496_2000

SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

24Diversity on plateau: Noachian primary/alteredIn place Noachian LCP-bearing material (ancient crust composition, mineralogic/elemental analysis)

Variety of alteration conditions (hydrothermal fluid, mineralization along fractures)

Olivine-carbonate(-talc?) assemblage (test talc hypothesis: increased Si activity may help preserve biosignature-silicification, exothermic long-lived rxn)

Kaolinite-bearing material may record pedogenic sequence

SuperCam: LIBS: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology-which can determine the elemental composition of the target from more than 20 feet away. Imaging: High-resolution visible imaging capability VISIR: visible and infrared spectroscopy. 0.4-2.6 micronsRaman: SHERLOC is a spectrometer that will provide fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.PIXL, for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, would be mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm and use X-ray fluorescence to determine elemental composition.RIMFAX: A ground-penetrating radar that will provide centimeter-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface.

25Potential Traverse

Potential Traverse

Potential TraverseAltered/LCP flowOlivine and LCP-rich materialHCP flow

Potential TraverseCarbonateFracturesLayersKaoliniteCompositional stratigraphyPotential TraverseElevation

Debris flow/fanPhyllo. Strat.Phyllo. layersOlivine-carbonateKaoliniteFracturesPotential TraverseStratigraphy

Rubric

land_stat.csvLONLATDust IndexThermal InertiaSlopeAlbedo286.19335937519.7285156250.9650.9850.9722192352300.038.481.220.1210.1310.126MINMAXAVGMINMAXAVGMINMAXAVGMINMAXAVG

Rubric

Mars 2020 Mission and Decadal Priority Science FactorsLanding Site FactorEnvironmental Setting for Biosignature Preservation and Taphonomy of OrganicsType 1A & 1B Samples: Aqueous Geochemical Environments indicated by Mineral AssemblagesType 2 Samples: IgneousContext: Martian History Sampled, Timing Constraints

Deltaic or Lacustrine (perennial)Lacustrine (evaporitic) Hydrothermal (