Fine-layered Meridiani crater for the MSL Landing Site

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Mars Science Laboratory 1st Landing Site WorkshopPasadena, CA — 31 May – 2 June 2006

Fine-layered Meridiani crater forFine-layered Meridiani crater forthe MSL Landing Sitethe MSL Landing Site

L. V. Posiolova, K. S. Edgett , and M. C. MalinL. V. Posiolova, K. S. Edgett , and M. C. Malin

Malin Space Science SystemsMalin Space Science Systems

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Landing in northern Sinus Meridiani provides access to great diversity of light-toned, layered rock;

the rocks here are lower in the stratigraphic column than at MER-B site.

Source: Northwest Sinus Meridiani geologic sketch map by Edgett (2005, Mars, 1, 5–58).

8.6 N 9.0 W

4.5 S 352.5 W

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Landing in northern Sinus Meridiani provides access to great diversity of light-toned, layered rock;

the rocks here are lower in the stratigraphic column than at MER-B site.

Source: Northwest Sinus Meridiani geologic sketch map by Edgett (2005, Mars, 1, 5–58).

This site

This site

8.6 N 9.0 W

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Site Location and Topography:

• Site is located in northern Sinus Meridiani

• - near 5.5 N, 2.0 W (358.1 E) ~500km NE of MER-B

• 9-km wide elliptical depression with finely layered deposits

• Located ~1.5km below the martian datum surrounded by relatively flat area

6.4 N 2.5 W

5.1 N 1.6 W

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Why are we proposing this site:• Hypothesis - candidate for a

small lake; lakes were once present on Mars

• Layered sedimentary rock• Broad, banded repeated layers

in this crater, different from the other sedimentary rocks in the area

• Fine layering, requires a persistent aqueous setting during part of its history

• Lacustrine sediments can provide a record of a habitable site

• Localized character - plus and minus

• Surrounded by other outcrops providing additional sites for the extended mission

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Detailed view of crater

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• Layers in this crater don’t exhibit severe stairstep pattern topogaphy as many other sedimentary rock sites do

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A

B

A B

1 km

• Smooth areas for landing and driving• Images are approximately from centers of ellipses

R04-02122 S18-00278

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• Compare with terrains in landing ellipses for Opportunity in Meridiani (on the left) and Spirit in Gusev Crater (on the right)

E05-02645

R02-00715

1 km

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Possible Driving Route

• THEMIS and MOC images showing possible driving route and an entry into the crater

Portion of V05867017

Portion of V04756006

R16-01694

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Landing Site requirements:

• It is a “go-to” site• Surrounding topography suggest relatively flat

surface for a safe landing • At least two 20 km diameter ellipses can fit near the

crater• From the orbiter do not see presence of large

boulders• Site and ellipses ~1.5 km below martian datum

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A

B

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Summary:

• Testing Hypothesis - small crater lake in Sinus Meridiani

• Subaquaous environment have high potential for past habitability; localized environment make easier for materials to concentrate

• Stratigraphically this site is located lower then MER-B, so landing here will help to reconstruct the extended geological history of this portion of Mars

• Surrounded by other outcrops providing additional sites for the extended mission

• This site is equatorial, at an elevation ~–1.5 km surrondined by safe/flat areas for landing

Fine-layered Meridiani crater for the MSL Landing Site

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