European Space Agency

European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MARS SOLAR WIND INTERACTION : FORMATION OF THE MARTIAN CORONA AND

ATMOSPHERIC LOSS TO SPACE J-Y. Chaufray1, R. Modolo2, F. Leblanc3, G.M. Chanteur4 1Service
d’Aéronomie du CNRS/IPSL, Reduit de Verrieres BP3 Route des Gatines 91371 Verrieres-le-Buisson,
FRANCE. 2Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Iowa, 203 Van Allen Hall Iowa City IA
52242-1479, USA 3Osservatorio astronomico di Trieste, Via Tepolo 11 34131 Trieste, ITALY 4 CETP/IPSL,
10-12, Avenue de l'Europe 78140 Velizy Villacoublay, France [email protected]

Section 1: A three dimensional (3-D) atomic than the contribution due to the dissociative
oxygen corona of Mars is computed for periods of recombination. The neutral escape is dominant at
low and high solar activities. The thermal atomic both solar activities (1x1025 s-1 for low solar activity
oxygen corona is derived from a collisionless and 4x1025 s-1 for high solar activity) and the ion
Chamberlain approach whereas the nonthermal escape flux is estimated to be equal to 2x1023 s-1 at
atomic oxygen corona is derived from Monte Carlo low solar activity and to 3.4x1024 s-1 at high solar
simulations. The two main sources of hot exospheric activity. This work illustrates one more time the
oxygen atoms at Mars are the dissociative strong dependency of these loss rates on solar
recombination of O2+ between 120 and 300 km, and conditions. It underlines the difficulty to extrapolate
the sputtering of the Martian atmosphere by incident the present measured loss rates to the past solar
O+ pick-up ions. The reimpacting and escaping conditions without a better theoretical and
fluxes of pick-up ions are derived from a 3D hybrid observational knowledge of this dependency.
model describing the interaction of the solar wind
with our computed Martian oxygen exosphere. In
this work, it is shown that the role of the sputtering
crucially depends on an accurate description of the
Martian corona as well as of its interaction with the .
solar wind. The sputtering contribution to the total
oxygen escape is smaller by one order of magnitude
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MARS SURFACE MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY: A GEOPHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENT (GEP)

EXPERIMENT FOR EXOMARS, S.Vennerstrom1, M. Menvielle2, J.M. Merayo1, S. Schwartz3, P. Brauer1,
C. Carr3, G. Chanteur2, P.A. Jensen1, B. Langlais4, M.B. Madsen5, M. Mandea6, H. O’Brien3, N. Olsen1, S.M.
Pedersen1, F. Primdahl1, P. Tarits7, K. Whaler8, 1Danish National Space Center, Technical University of
Denmark, Juliane Maries Vej 30, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, 2Centre d’etudes des Environnements Terrestre
et Planétaires, (CETP), France, 3The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, UK, 4CNRS/University of
Nantes, France, 5Earth and Planetary Physics, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark,
6
GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Germany, 7University of Western Brittany, France, 8University of
Edinburgh, UK. [email protected]

Mars Surface Magnetic Observatory (MSMO), shielding and the morphology of ionospheric
an experiment planned as part of the Geophysical currents. While these processes have been observed
and Environment Package (GEP) on ExoMars, is from orbiting spacecraft, the MSMO will provide
likely to provide the first magnetic field the first continuous measurements from a low
measurements ever performed at the surface of altitude vantage point. A description of these
Mars. It will provide unique information in a wide processes is important in order to understand plasma
spectrum of scientific applications in accordance escape processes at Mars, in particular their
with the ExoMars scientific objectives. variability with the solar wind and solar activity.
The overall scientific purposes of the If a landing site close to one of the crustal
magnetometer are: magnetic anomalies is selected we will also be able
• to study the effect on the Martian to study the currents created in the direct interaction
environment of the solar wind interaction with the between the solar wind and the crustal field (Figure
atmosphere, including atmospheric escape, 1).
• to understand the effect on the Martian The MSMO would have a strong synergy with
environment of explosive events on the Sun (i.e. simultaneous magnetic and plasma measurements
CME’s, flares), including the variability in ionizing from orbit.
radiation due to solar energetic particles, The magnetometer proposed for the MSMO
• to determine the electrical conductivity of experiment derives from instruments flown in
the planetary interior as a function of depth, in order dedicated geomagnetic missions (Ørsted, CHAMP,
to map deep subsurface water reservoirs and SAC-C). The Danish space magnetometers are all
understand the planetary evolution, dedicated instruments to accurately map the Earth’s
• to improve the resolution of the crustal magnetic field and have more than 26 years total
magnetic field and estimates of its sources. combined in-orbit operation time. The current
magnetometer is a miniaturised version of the
earlier instruments and is baselined for the ESA
PROBA-2 and Swarm missions. One of the key
parameters of the magnetometer is the zero-level
accuracy of the measured vector field. The fluxgate
transducers use a stable and low-noise (12 pTRMS
in 0.01-10 Hz), stress-annealed amorphous magnetic
material for the ring-cores. The heat treatment of the
ring-cores has been developed in Denmark, starting
Figure 1: Average radial magnetic perturbations close with the Ørsted magnetometer. The resolution of the
to crustal anomalies at the Martian dayside, as measured magnetometer is based on a 22 bit A/D converter.
by MGS in 400 km’s altitude. The color scale is in nT. The zero-level stability of the magnetometer has
The contours show the location of the crustal anomalies. been verified in-flight to a level of 0.3 nTRMS over
a period of more than 6 years and in temperature
The solar wind interacts with the Martian variations of +/-10°C. By calibration a DC-accuracy
atmosphere creating a so-called induced of 0.3 nT (1sigma) can be obtained over a larger
magnetosphere of draped magnetic field. In this temperature span of about 100°C. In order to
process currents are created in the day-side determine the orientation of the measured magnetic
ionosphere that acts to shield the ionosphere and field vector the magnetometer is combined with an
surface from the magnetospheric field. With the attitude sensor consisting of two gravity sensors.
MSMO we will investigate the efficiency of the
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MARSIS DATA INVERSION APPROACH: Preliminary results

G. Picardi1*, D. Biccari1, M. Cartacci1, A.Cicchetti1, S. Giuppi1, A. Marini1 , A..Masdea1, R.Noschese1, F.
Piccari1, R. Seu1, J.J.Plaut2, W.T.K.Johnson2, R.L.Jordan2, A.Safaeinili2, C.Federico3, A.Frigeri3, P.T.Melacci4,
R. Orosei5, O.Bombaci6, D.Calabrese6, E.Zampolini6, P.Edenhofer7,D.Plettemeier8, L. Marinangeli9,
E.Pettinelli10, T. Hagfors11, E. Flamini12, G.Vannaroni13, E. Nielsen14, I.Williams15, D. A. Gurnett16, D. L.
Kirchner16, R. L. Huff16
1
Infocom Dept.- University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via Eudossiana, 18 – 00184 Rome-Italy, 2Jet Propulsion
Laboratory – 4800 Oak Grove Drive - Pasadena, CA-91109 - USA - 3Dept. of Earth Science - University of
Perugia, 06123 Perugia Italy, 4Computer Science Dept. - University of Perugia- Via Vanvitelli 1, 06123 Perugia
Italy, 5INAF-IASF. - Via del Fosso di Cavaliere,100 - 00133 Rome – Italy, 6Alcatel Alenia Space - Via
Saccomuro,24 - 00131 Rome –Italy, 7Institut für HochfrequenztechnikArbeitsgruppe Antennen und
Wellenausbreitung Fakultät für Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik Ruhr-Universität Bochum 44780
Bochum, Germany, 8Fakultaet für Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik Lehrstuhl und Laboratorium für
Theoretische 9International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Dipartimento di Scienze, Universita'
d'Annunzio, Viale Pindaro 42 - 65127 Pescara – Italy, 10Physics Dept.–University of Rome“Roma Tre”, Via
della Vasca Navale, 84– 00146 Rome-Italy, 11Max Plank Institut fur Aeronomie, Germanie, 12 ASI, Viale Liegi,
26 – 00198 Rome, Italy, 13INAF-IFSI. - Via del Fosso di Cavaliere,100 - 00133 Rome – Italy, 14Max Planck
Institute for Solar System Research 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Federal Republic of Germany 15Astronomy unit
Queen Mary-University of London-U.K., 16Dept. of Physics and Astronomy – The University of Iowa – Iowa
City, IA – 52242 – USA
[email protected]

Abstract The interpretation of radar data require

An approach to the inversion of the data available discrimination between signals arising from
from the MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for subsurface interfaces and those coming from the
Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) instrument on surface topographic features not immediately below
Mars Express is described. The data inversion gives the radar so that the time delay between
an estimation of the materials composing the transmission and reception is the same (surface
different detected interfaces, including the impurity ‘‘clutter’’). The main complexity, pertaining to the
(inclusion) of the first layer, if any, and its data inversion, is related to the accuracy needed on
percentage, by the evaluation of the values of the the values of the dielectric constant on the surface
permittivity that would generate the observed radio (
’m(0)), as well as on the accuracy in the radar data
echoes. influenced by various causes as, for instance, the
The data inversion method is based on the analysis ionosphere residual distortion.
of the surface to subsurface power ratio and the Taking into account that along the orbits the echo
relative time delay as measured by MARSIS. The frames exhibit a non stationary behavior, due to the
MARSIS resolution permits us to identify layered shape of the surface and subsurface, in order to
structures present in the subsurface with a depth obtain a proper inversion, the frames have been
resolution of 150 m. A volume scattering and a selected only in regions of MARS that are
multilayer analysis has been performed in order to moderately flat as can be determined, a priori from
analyze the influence of these scattering process on MOLA data and by the echoes’ behavior. In this
the obtained results. The data inversion has been case, where the surface backscattering is frequency
performed at several frequencies to estimate the independent, the echoes should have a shape as
frequency dependent parameters affecting the narrow as possible according with the pulse
behavior of the radar echoes. bandwidth and the weighting network.
A preliminary relative calibration has been The data inversion, taking into account models of
performed to determine the capability of MARSIS inclusion distribution in the first layer, and data
to resolve different surface dielectric constants. In from SHARAD/MRO that show multilayer structure
this calibration, based on the estimate of surface of the first layer with higher depth resolution,
backscattering, the influence of the ionosphere has provides a solution, in terms of determination of the
also been taken into account. The constraints, due to dielectric constant of the subsurface, compliant with
the known geological history of the surface, the the knowledge accuracy of the surface scattering.
local temperature and the thermal condition of the The obtained dielectric constants are higher than
observed zones and the results of other instruments those pertaining to the material confined by the
on Mars Express and other missions to Mars, have extreme models considered possible by geologists
to be considered to improve the validity of the and their values show an unexpected compatibility
utilized models. with a presence of liquid water mixed with solid
material.
Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI (2005) 1128.pdf

ANNUAL CHANGE OF MARTIAN DDS-SEEPAGES.

Horváth, A. (1, 2, 3), Kereszturi, Á. (1, 5), Bérczi, Sz. (1, 4), Sik, A. (1, 5), Pócs, T. (1, 6), Gesztesi, A. (3), Gánti, T. (1),
Szathmáry, E. (1,7)
(1) Collegium Budapest (Institute for Advanced Study), 2 Szentháromság, H-1014 Budapest, ([email protected]);
(2) Konkoly Observatory, H-1525 Budapest Pf. 67; (3) Budapest Planetarium of Society for Dissemination of Scientific
Knowledge, H-1476 Budapest Pf. 47, ([email protected]); (4) Eötvös University, Dept. G. Physics, Cosmic Mat. Sp. Res.
Gr. H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány 1/a.; (5) Eötvös University, Dept. of Physical Geography, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány 1/c;
(6) Eszterházy Károly College, Dept. of Botany, H-3301 Eger Pf 43, ([email protected]);
(7) Eötvös University, Dept. of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány 1/c; Hungary.

Introduction: The signs of surface water found by MGS 00808 and R07-00938; Fig. 2), almost in the same phase of
(on MOC images [1]), Mars Odyssey (neutron data [2]) and the seasonal cycle of the DDS-phenomenon.
Mars Express (spectral data, [3]) play important role in
understanding surface processes – especially probable life
forms – on Mars. There are signs of recent liquid water on
Mars like the gullies formed probably during high obliquity
[1, 4, 5] and dark slope streaks which could be formed by
gravitational mass movements or water seepage [6, 7, 8].
We discovered and analysed a possible third group of
phenomena presumably produced by liquid water on the
surface, called DDS-seepage. These are originated at dark
dune spots (DDS). (Dark dune spots appear in the defrosting
surface in late winter–early spring in the polar regions of
Mars [9, 10]).
Most of the DDS-seepages can be found at the steep slopes
of the dark dunes in craters and the intercrater areas and we
could study not only great number of these seepages [11, 12]
but also could observe their changes from one Martian year
to the other.

Fig. 2 MGS images of the same locality from 2001 and 2003 with
Fig. 1 The crater where we studied the dunefield and DDS- DDS-seepages on the slopes. Enlarged view of the frames with
seepages. The frame refer the belt of Fig. 2b (MGS MOC image) more details about the seepage-flows are given in Fig. 4

Data and methods: The DDSs and the DDS-seepage Morphological charateristics and annual change of
structures were identified visually on images from the MGS DDS-seepages:. The dark and grey streaks from these
MOC and measured manually with Surfer software, the DDS’s suggest that the frosted layer has been partly or
topograthic data were from MGS MOLA measurements. The totally defrosted (Fig. 3a, b, 4a, b).
maximal error of the morphometric results is 30%. The main characteristics of the DDS-seepages are:
The surface studied is about 41 square kilometers where • the dark streaks originate from DDS (Fig. 3a-d, 4a, b),
there we found 750 dark dune spots and 440 DDS-seepage • based on MOLA data they point downslope away from
formations. DDSs (Fig. 3a-d -see arrow, 4a, b),
We analyzed a crater (coordinates: 150.8°W, 69.2°S and • slope having angles between 18– 31 degrees (Fig. 3a-d),
diameter ca. 70 km, Fig. 1) based on two images of the same • most streaks become narrower at the foot of the hill (Fig.
region in spring, but with one martian year difference (E07- 3a, c, 4a, b),
Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI (2005) 1128.pdf

• at their lower end a spot indicates that the downflown

material has accumulated there (ponds, Fig. 3b, d),
• the darkness of the streaks is variable (Fig. 3a-d, 4a, b),
• the phenomenon annually appears on Mars (Fig. 4).

Fig. 3 Enlarged view of Fig. 4 frames where we can observe the

main characteristics of the DDS-seepages. Arrow shows flow
direction to all imeges (a-d)

Concluding model of the DDS-seepage: According to our

earlier model the DDS forming defrosting process contains Fig. 4 Annual changes of DDS-seepages. (a) 2001-08-13, (b)
possible biological components [11, 12]. For these biological 2003-07-13, (c) combination of 2001 positive and 2003 negative
components (the Martian Surface Organisms MSOs) the images
defrosting process cycle begins in spring when the MSOs
begin their activity and help enhance the melting of water. References: [1] Malin, M. C. and Edgett, K. S. (2000) Evidence for recent
groundwater seepage and surface runoff on Mars, Science 288, 2330-2335. [2]
The molten water seepage starts flowing downwards Boynton, W. V. et al (2002), Distribution of Hydrogen in the Near-Surface of
between the ice cover and the frozen soil. First the grey color Mars: Evidence for Subsurface Ice Deposits, Science 297, 81-85. [3] Bibring,
exhibits the thinner frosted layer, later the final dark color of J.-P. et al (2004) Perennial water ice identified in the south polar cap of Mars,
the DDS exhibits the naked surface of the dark dunefield Nature 428, 627-630. [4] Costard, F., Forget, F., Mangold, N., Peulvast, J. P.
(2002) Formation of Recent Martian Debris Flows by Melting of Near-
[13]. Surface Ground Ice at High Obliquity, Science, 295, 110-113. [5] Christensen,
P. R. (2003) Formation of recent martian gullies through melting of extensive
Summary: The morphology and annual occurence of the water-rich snow deposits, Nature 422, 45-48. [6] Treiman, A. H. (2004)
DDS-seepages on slopes were studied. Our results suggest Martian slope streaks and gullies: origin as dry granular flows, Lunar Planet.
Sci. XXXIV, #1323. [7] Miyamoto, H., Dohm, J. M., Beyer, R. A., Baker, V.
the temporal presence of liquid water on polar dune surfaces R. (2004) Fluid dynamical implications of anastomosing slope streaks on
bellow the CO2 frost cover. This could be one of the few Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research, 109, E6, CiteID E06008. [8]
current examples of liquid water on Mars. Motazedian, T. (2003) Currently Flowing Water on Mars, Lunar Planet. Sci.
XXXIV, #1840. [9] Edgett, K.S., Supulver, K. D. and Malin, M. C. (2000),
The water-related model of the DDS-seepage phenomena Spring defrosting of Martian polar regions: Mars Global Surveyor MOC and
gives better interpretation of the observed slope features than TES monitoring of the Richardson Crater dune field, 1999-2000, Mars Polar
the dust avalanche model [6] because of 1) the presence of Sci. and Explor. II, #4041. [10] Bridges, N. T.., Herkenhoff, K. E., Titus, T.
ponds, and 2) the overwhelming majority of DDS-seepages N., and Kieffer H. H. (2001) Ephemeral dark spots associated with Martian
guillies. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXII, #2126. [11] Horváth, A., Gánti, T.,
narrows towards the lower end of the streak. Gesztesi, A., Bérczi, Sz., Szathmáry, E. (2001) Probable evidences of recent
Our result are consonant with the water ice detected by biological activity on Mars: appearance and growing of dark dune spots in the
Mars Express next to the CO2-frost, and agree partly with the South Polar Region. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXII, #1543, LPI, Houston. [12]
Gánti, T., Horváth, A., Bérczi, Sz., Gesztesi, A., Szathmáry E. (2003) DARK
suggestions of other authors on the possible presence of DUNE SPOTS: POSSIBLE BIOMARKERS ON MARS? Origins of Life and
liquid water on Mars today [10]. Evolution of the Biosphere 33: 515-557, Kluwer Academic Publishers,
Netherlands. [13] Horváth, A., Bérczi, Sz., Kereszturi, Á., Pócs, T., Gesztesi,
Acknowledgements: Authors thank for the use of MGS MOC A., Gánti, T., Szathmáry, E. (2004) Annual change of outflows from Dark
images of NASA and Malin Space Science Systems [14]. The Dune Spots in the Southern Polar Region of the Mars, IV. European
Workshop on Exo-Astrobiology (EANA), Great Britain, 22-25 November
ESA ECS-project No. 98004 is highly acknowledged. 2004, Abstract book, p. 91. [14 ] http://www.msss.com/mo_gallery/
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

“ODD” MARTIAN DICHOTOMY AND ITS HARMONIC INTERPRETATION. G.G. Kochemasov.

IGEM RAS, 35 Staromonetny, Moscow 119017, Russia, [email protected]

The long-known looking strange north-south signs were discovered even under obstacles of
tectonic and chemical dichotomy of Mars is rather plateau-basalts, sills, eolian basalt sands and so on.
expected if considered by the wave planetology [1, Up to now the best ground truth that requires orbital
2 & others]. This science is based on a crafts (and Mars Express) is presented by MERs.
fundamental assertion: “orbits make structures”. Spirit found very light weathered rocks (like
Keplerian orbits stimulate in heavenly bodies powder) under dark eolian sands. On a very small
inertia-gravity waves of which the fundamental surface there is very sharp compositional difference
wave long 2
R having a stationary character of this products of alteration: Fe-S rich, Ca-rich, Si-
inevitably produces tectonic dichotomy. This is rich. This rejects large volumes of open water here
followed by a chemical (density) one for leveling in the past; otherwise a composition difference
angular momenta of opposed risen and fallen would be minimized. There is also rather high
segments. A sharpness of the martian dichotomy is compositional differentiation of floats and outcrops.
due partly to a highly elliptical orbit of the planet. Such a sharp chemical differentiation on a very
The structurizing fundamental wave has small expanse and a fine layering is typical for
overtones of which the first one long
R (in alkaline massifs. For alkaline rocks, not for other
resonance 1 : 1 with the wave granulation also
R lithologies, are very typical also poicilitic textures
size due to the martian orbital frequency [2, 3 & like observed at Figure (outcrop “Slide”, brushed
others]) produces very spectacular effect: Mars circle, 3 cm diameter). Light-colored rocks, smectite
obtains an “surprising” elliptical shape in the and sulfates indications are widespread on the
equatorial section. Huge elevations prolong it and southern highlands according to OMEGA [5 &
very deep depressions squeeze it in the others]. It seems that a massive involvement of
perpendicular sense. There is no sense to hydrous sulfites in highland rock compositions plays
continue call Hellas and Argyre basins impact on diminishing their density what is required by the
structures as these deepest hollows on the elevated martian very sharp vertical tectonic differentiation.
southern hemisphere have symmetrical but risen
counterparts on the subsided northern hemisphere
[2]. Hellas is in pair with the far advanced onto the
northern lowlands Alba patera & Tempe terra;
Argyre is in pair with Elysium planum & Phlegra
montes. A such regular (harmonic) construction has
nothing to do with occasional random impacts and
witnesses a major role of regular wave processes in
structurizing planetary surfaces and depths.
The Mars Express’ MARSIS experiment [4]
seems to indicate at the third tectonic pair with the
same regular disposition. Radar measurements of
ice thickness on both pole regions (2 km at the north
and 3.7 km at the south) could indicate that at the
north ice covers slightly elevated background and at
the south ice fills a kind of depression – bowl. This
disposition reminds (with inversion) the terrestrial References: [1] Kochemasov G.G. (1992) 16th Russian-
case: Antarctica continent on the mainly oceanic American microsymposium on planetology, Abstracts,
southern hemisphere and a depression of the Moscow, Vernadsky Inst., 36-37. [2] Kochemasov G.G.
Northern Polar ocean on the mainly continental (2004) In Workshop on “Hemispheres apart: the origin
northern hemisphere. This comparison only and modification of the martian crustal dichotomy”, LPI
strengthens the case of the planetary wave Contribution # 1203, Lunar and Planetary Institute,
structurizations.
Houston, p. 37. [3] Kochemasov G.G. (1995) Golombek
A very sharp martian vertical block
M.P., Edgett K.S., Rice J.W.Jr. (eds) Mars Pathfinder
differentiation requires significant density difference
landing site workshop II: Characteristics of the Ares
of composing them rocks (sharper than at Earth:
Vallis region and Field trips to the Channeled Scabland,
tholeiites – andesites) for leveling blocks’ angular
momenta. In 1995 before the Pathfinder landing we Washington. LPI Tech. Rpt. 95-01, Pt. 1, LPI, Houston,
knew about dense Fe-basalts covering deeply 63 pp. (p. 18-19). [4] Chicarro A.F. (2007) Seventh
subsided northern lowlands. Thus, very light rocks International Conference on Mars, Pasadena, Calif., abs. #
as syenites and granites were proposed for sharply 3009. [5] Rossi A.P., Neukum G., Poudrelli M. et al.
elevated southern highlands [3]. Gradually their (2007)LPSC XXXVIII, abs. # 1549.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THE MARTIAN LITHOSPHERE IN THE THARSIS REGION: A COMPARISON BETWEEN MEX

GRAVITY DATA AND THE MOLA TOPOGRAPHY MODEL M. Fels1, M. Pätzold1, B. Häusler2.
1
Rheinisches Institut für Umweltforschung an der Universität zu Köln, Cologne, Germany. 2Universität der
Bundeswehr München,Neubiberg, Germany. [email protected]

The first European Mars Mission, Mars Express

(MEX), is operating in orbit around Mars since
Januar 2004. The Mars Express Radio-Science
Experiment (MaRS) is performing gravity
measurements above selected target areas during
the pericenter passes at an altitude from 250 km to
350 km. MEX has a much higher sensitivity to
gravity attractions at small scales than the NASA
mission Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) due to this
low pericenter altitude.
A total of 70 Doppler observations above selected
target areas could be recorded at the ESA ground
station in New Norcia and at the antennas of the
Deep Space Network (DSN). Profiles of the
gravitational acceleration could be computed after
low-pass filtering. These residual accelerations will
be compared with the MOLA topography model
from MGS by computing the cross-correlations
between these both datasets for all gravity
operations belonging to the same target area to
make a statement about the compensation status of
the particular local and regional Martian
lithosphere respectively.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

The Martian Organic Material Irradiation and Evolution experiment: study of the behavior of organic
molecules at the Mars surface P. Coll1, F. Stalport1, C. Szopa2. 1Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes
2
Atmosphériques (LISA), University Paris XII, Créteil France; Service d’Aéronomie (SA), University Paris VI, Paris
France. Contact : [email protected]

Among the biomarkers to seek on Mars, space experiments, we are developing the MOMIE
organic molecules are primordial because some are laboratory experiment (Martian Organic Material
necessary to the origin of life as we know it, and Irradiation and Evolution) in order to determine how
others are specifically produced by living the organic species can evolve at the Martian
organisms. However, these molecules have never surface. We thus propose to implement this type of
been detected on Mars, either from observations or research with the assistance of an experimental
in situ space probes. Therefore, relevant questions setup designed for the study of the behaviour of
related to organics are: are organic molecules organic molecules under conditions mimicking, as
actually present at the surface of Mars; where are close as possible, the environmental conditions of
they; what is their concentration; under which form Mars surface (e.g. UV radiation, temperature…).
can we find them. We focused the first part of our study on the
Indeed, even if endogenous organic molecules influence of UV radiation on organic molecules
were never synthesized, at least those brought by relevant to Mars. We showed that if globally
exogenous sources, like interplanetary dust molecules are destroyed by UV radiations which
particles, should be present in detectable amount. should be present at the Martian surface, the
Moreover, the track endogenous organic molecules destruction rates differ from a molecule to another
should not be dropped out because some terrestrial [1]. Moreover, it appears that some species could be
molecules are known to be able to resist over converted into molecules resistant to solar UV. We
periods of several billion years without being present here the results of this study and the
degraded. potential influence it could have on the investigation
It thus appears that organic molecules could be of the surface of Mars, seeking for organics.
present at the surface of Mars, even if they have
significant chances to undergo a partial or total
chemical evolution. Within the framework for the References: [1] Stalport F. et al. (in press), Adv. Space
search for organic molecules by present or future Res.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

Martian Organic Molecules Analyzer (MOMA) Gas Chromatograph (GC) : objectives, principle and
preliminary design C. Szopa1, F. Raulin2, P. Coll2, M. Cabane2, F. Goesmann3 and the MOMA team. 1Service
d’Aéronomie (SA), University Paris VI, Paris France, 2Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques
(LISA), University Paris XII, Créteil France; 3MPS, Lindau Germany. Contact : [email protected]

The seek for organic molecules (not yet found) could be present in the atmosphere or which could
on Mars is of primary importance for Martian evolve from soil samples heated and pyrolyzed. The
astrobiology because these molecules are closely analysis relies on gas chromatographic and mass
connected to life as we know it. With this aim, the spectrometric measurements.
Martian Organic Molecules Analyzer experiment We present here what could be, at this early
was pre-selected to be part of the scientific payload stage of development, the gas chromatograph part
of the Exomars mission. Its goal is to point out the devoted to separate and to bring information for the
presence of organic molecules in the soil samples identification of organic and inorganic gases. From
collected at the surface and sub-surface of Mars by this preliminary design, we can estimate the
the rover, and to identify their nature. performances it could reach and give clues on the
MOMA consists of three complementary scientific return we can expect from its analysis.
analytical sub-systems devoted to detect and
identify a wide range of organic compounds which
Seventh International Conference on Mars 3354.pdf

DO MEGA IMPACTS LEAVE CRATERS? CHARACTERIZING MEGA IMPACTS AND THEIR

RELATION TO THE MARS HEMISPHERIC DICHOTOMY. Margarita M. Marinova1, Oded Aharonson1,
and Erik Asphaug2, 1Caltech, 150-21, Pasadena, CA 91125, [email protected], [email protected], 2University of
California, Santa Cruz, Earth Sciences Dept., Santa Cruz, CA 95064

Introduction: The most clearly visible feature on Tillotson Equation of State (EOS) is employed [8].
Mars is the hemispheric dichotomy: the difference in Figure 1 shows a snapshot of a simulation of a 60 deg
elevation (~4 km), crustal thickness (~30 km), rough- impact (measured from the horizontal).
ness, and impact crater density between the Northern
and Southern hemispheres [1,2]. The depression in the
northern hemisphere encompasses ~35% of the
planet's surface, equivalent to an average diameter of
7700 km [2]. The dichotomy boundary is expressed
both as steep scarps and gentle slopes [2,3,4].
Despite the crustal dichotomy's prominent nature,
its formation mechanism remains unknown. The pos-
sible formation mechanisms fall in the categories of
endogenic and exogenic. For endogenic processes,
degree-1 mantle convection is often invoked [e.g. 5].
Exogenic scenarios call for a single mega impact [2] or
multiple smaller impacts [6]. If the crustal dichotomy
is formed by a mega impact, the impact must not shat-
ter the planet or produce sufficient melt to obliterate all
surface and crustal evidence of the impact.
We investigate whether the Mars crustal dichotomy
may have formed by a single mega impact. This first
requires characterizing planetary-scale impacts, which Figure 1. Snapshot of an impact simulation: t = 25 min
have not been extensively studied; these impacts differ after impact. Impact parameters: v = 6 km/s, Dimpactor =
from the thoroughly studied smaller impacts due, in 860 km, Eimpact = 1.45x1029 J, Dcrater ~ 8000 km, impact
part, to the importance of surface curvature in plane- angle = 60 deg.
tary-scale impacts. Due to surface curvature it is ex-
pected that material redistribution, and thus melt dis- Planet Initial Conditions. Mars’ initial pressure
tribution, would differ from that resulting from small profile in the simulation is set to hydrostatic. In order
impacts, and the change in crater properties with im- to be able to calculate melt production, we require a
pact angle may be more prominent. We focus on the realistic initial internal energy profile. We assume the
effect of planetary-scale impacts on early Mars. We surface and core-mantle boundary temperatures from
compare the results of these simulations to observa- parameterized convection models [9], and impose an
tions to evaluate whether a single mega impact may adiabatic compression heating profile in the planet to
have formed the dichotomy. Particularly, we investi- obtain the mantle and core internal energies. Early
gate the depth of penetration of the projectile, the Mars is likely to have had a convecting mantle and
amount of melt produced, and the redistribution of core, resulting in an adiabatic profile. The bulk materi-
excavated material. als for the mantle and core are taken to be olivine and
Modeling: We use a fully 3 dimensional iron, respectively.
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) model to Equation of State: The proper implementation of
simulate the impacts. SPH is a Lagrangian model in initial conditions requires using the appropriate mate-
which an object is represented by particles, where each rials for the mantle and core. The Tillotson EOS li-
particle’s mass remains constant, but its size, pressure, brary does not include an olivine-like material, so to
internal energy, and density change in response to ex- match mantle density we create our own olivine EOS.
ternal forces. SPH has been extensively used for simu- We use the same parameterization and formulation as
lating the Moon-forming impact [7]. The 3 dimen- the Tillotson EOS. Density [10], bulk modulus [11],
sional nature of the code allows the simulation of im- and heat capacity [12] values were obtained from the
pacts at any impact angle. In our simulations we nomi- literature; all other values were set to the average of
nally use 200,000 particles, giving a resolution (parti- available representative materials (basalt, granite, an-
cle diameter) of about 115 km. The semi-empirical orthosite lpp & hpp, andesite). Our model of Mars
Seventh International Conference on Mars 3354.pdf

matches the known planet radius and mass, and the

pressure profile (Pcentral,model = 50 GPa, similar to ref
[13]) and core size (rcore,model = 1600 km, within range
of ref [14]) are within the expected range.
Depth of Penetration: We calculate the depth of
penetration of the deepest 10% of the impactor, which
is effectively the depth of the transient impact crater
cavity. We consider this depth as it relates to the mag-
nitude of gravity waves that are sent through the planet
as a result of the impact. That is, a deep depth of pene-
tration implies large amplitude waves and significant
disruption of the planet’s surface by these waves.
Melting Criteria: We calculate melt production us-
ing two criteria: a high pressure criterion and a low-
pressure (energy) criterion. In the high pressure melt-
ing criterion, material shocked above its threshold
pressure melts upon decompression. This is commonly
Figure 2. Penetration of deepest 10% of impactor.
referred to as pressure melting. For olivine and basalt,
Colours represent impact angle; rcore = 1600 km,
the pressure melting threshold is ~75 GPa [15]. The
RMars = 3400 km; Eimpact = 1.45x1029 J.
low pressure melting criterion is effectively an energy
melting criterion. For particles at low pressure (no
wave upon impact since the sound speed in olivine is
more than one particle depth into the planet) we as-
comparable to these impact velocities, and therefore
sume that melting occurs when the internal energy
the high pressure melting production is negligible. As
exceeds TmeltCp + Hfusion, where Tmelt is the melting
the impact velocity increases, the shock wave is
temperature, Cp is the heat capacity, and Hfusion is the
stronger and therefore produces more high pressure
heat of fusion for the material. We do not take into
melting. At high velocities we interpret the decrease in
account energy melting at depth in the planet and thus
melt production as due to the decrease in the impactor
we underestimate melt production. We do, however,
size and therefore a smaller volume is exposed to the
expect that we take into account all melting occurring
strong shock. In the low pressure (energy) melting
close to the planet’s surface, thus we can evaluate the
criterion, the melt production is generally constant for
extent of preservation of surface and impact features.
all impact velocities, as expected for constant impact
Impacts Parameter Space: We simulate impacts
with velocities of 6 to 50 km/s (where 5 km/s is Mars'
escape velocity and 50 km/s is twice Mars' orbital
velocity), impact angles of 90 (perpendicular to the
planet surface), 75, 60, 45, 30, and 15 degrees, and
impact energies sufficient to create 4000 to 12,000 km
craters (following the gravity regime scaling in [2]).
Results: Figures 2 & 3 show some results on the
depth of penetration of the impactor and mass of melt
produced for an 8000 km crater impacts, for different
impact velocities and angles.
Results indicate that slower and vertical impacts
penetrate the deepest, thus producing significant grav-
ity waves and the strongest disturbance of the plane-
tary surface. At constant impact energy, the impator’s
momentum is inversely proportional to the impact ve-
locity, thus slower (higher momentum) impacts pene-
trate deeper. The smaller depth of penetration of
oblique impacts is due to their grazing nature. Thus,
faster and lower angle impacts result in less disruption Figure 3. Total melt produced (dashed) and melt re-
of the planet. tained on the planet (solid) in terms of a global equiva-
The maximum melt production is for about 15 km/s lent layer depth on Mars; a few percent of the melt is
impacts. In the case of high pressure melting, the low ejected into space. 10 km depth = 5.1x1021 kg. Eimpact =
impact velocities (6 km/s) do not generate a shock 1.45x1029 J.
Seventh International Conference on Mars 3354.pdf

energy. However, there is a trend of higher melt pro- (a,c) and 2.1 hrs (b,d) after the impact of a 15 km/s
duction at low impact velocities, which is due to lar- impactor at 90 deg (a,b) and 15 deg (c,d). The figures
ger, slower impactors depositing energy over a larger represent slices through the planet. It is seen that in the
volume of the planet. Since the material is already case of the head-on (90 deg) impact, the depth of pene-
close to its melting point, this increase in internal en- tration is down to the core-mantle boundary, there is
ergy results in larger melt production. significant excavation, and the resulting area with a
We can visualize the volume of melt produced as a surface melt pool is extensive. In addition, the exca-
global equivalent layer (GEL) of a given thickness vated material re-impacts the planet, thus covering
over the surface of Mars (fig. 3). In these units, a verti- much of the surface with melt. A melt pool is formed
cal impact produces the equivalent of 30-40 km deep at the antipode of the impact. In the case of the oblique
melt over the entire planet and oblique impacts (15-30 impact, the depth of penetration is smaller, and the
deg), produce a GEL layer of 5-10 km. While the GEL resulting melt pool is more restricted. The simulations
depths are useful to visualize the total melt volume, shown in figure 4 highlight the difference in resulting
they fail to represent the spatial distribution that ulti- crater structure, and melt production and distribution
mately determines whether surface features are pre- due to the change in impact angle. The simulations
served. show that the resulting melt pool in the vertical impact
The distribution of melt is a key factor in determin- case covers ~85 deg of the planet’s circumference
ing whether a mega impact erases all the evidence of while for the oblique, 15 deg impact it spans ~35 deg
its occurrence. Figure 4 shows snapshots of the distri- of the planet’s circumference in the downrange direc-
bution of melted and non-melted material at 12 min tion. Because much of the excavated material reaches

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Figure 4. Production and redistribution of melt (red and orange); 15 km/s impact at 90 deg (a,b) and 15 deg (c,d);
12 min (a,c) and 2.1 hrs (b,d) after impact. The head on impact produces more melt and a more extensive melt pool
than the oblique impact. Eimpact = 1.45x1029 J.
Seventh International Conference on Mars 3354.pdf

escape velocity, no significant amounts of material, downrange side of the impact crater and the thickening
including melt, re-impact the planet. Thus, at constant appears to be less than in the vertical impact case. This
energy and for a given impact velocity, the more limited example shows the significant difference in
oblique impacts produce much smaller melt pools and crustal redistribution as a function of impact angle.
do not distribute molten material over the planet. A Further work is needed to determine the crustal thick-
similar trend is also apparent as the impact velocity is ening from various impacts.
increased. Conclusions: Our simulations provide insight into
Crustal redistribution is another important con- planetary scale redistribution and melting of crust fol-
straint, since current Mars crustal thickness estimates lowing mega impacts. As a first order observation, at
[1] show no crustal thickening at the highlands - low- constant impact energy, we note the large discrepancy
lands boundary. Figure 5 shows crustal distribution for between vertical and oblique impacts, where the
a 15 km/s impact at 90 deg and 15 deg impact angle at change in impact angle has a more exaggerated effect
2.1 hrs after the impact event (same impacts as shown than seen in smaller (flat surface) impact events. We
in figure 4). For the vertical impact there is apparent see that head-on and intermediate velocity impacts
crustal thickening around the crater, while in the produce the largest amounts of melt and disrupt the
oblique impact there is crustal thickening only on the planet significantly, while the slowest and head-on
impacts distribute melt over much of the surface.
(a) Oblique and fast impacts produce less melt and disrupt
the planet to a lesser extent, thus allowing a signature
of the impact to remain. Our results show that mega
impacts need not obliterate the evidence of their occur-
rence and the possibility of forming the Mars hemi-
spheric dichotomy by an impact should be further ex-
amined.

References:
[1] Solomon S.C. et al. (2005) Science 307, 1214-1220. [2]
Wilhelms D.E. and S.W. Squyres (1984) Nature 309, 138-
140. [3] Smith D.E. et al. (1999) Science 284, 1495-1503.
[4] Aharonson O., Zuber M.T. and Rothman D.H. (2001)
JGR 106, 23,723-23,735, 2001. [5] Zhong S. and Zuber
M.T. (2001) EPSL 189, 75-84. [6] Frey H.V. and Schultz
R.A. (1988) GRL 15, 229-232. [7] Canup R.M. and Asphaug
E. (2001) Nature 412, 708–712. [8] Tillotson, J. H. (1962)
General Atomic, San Diego, California, Report No. GA-
(b) 3216, July 18. [9] Hauck S.A. and Phillips R.J. (2002) JGR
107, 10.1029/2001JE001801. [10] Klein, Mineral Science,
pg 493. [11] T.J. Ahrens (Ed.), Mineral Physics and Crystal-
lography: A Handbook of Physical Constants. Am. Geophys.
Union, AGU Ref. Shelf 2, 45–63. [12] Hashimoto A. (1983)
Geochem J. 17, 111-145. [13] Bertka C.M. and Fei Y.
(1998) EPSL 157, 79-88. [14] Yoder C.F. et al. (2003) Sci-
ence 300, 299-303. [15] Melosh. H.J., Impact Cratering: A
Geological Process. Oxford University Press, 1989.

Figure 5. Crustal redistribution from a 15 km/s impact

at 90 deg (a) and 15 deg (b). The crust (red), impactor
(dark blue), mantle (light blue), and core (green) are
shown. The excavation of crust (red) and its thickening
around the impact crater are apparent. Eimpact =
1.45x1029 J.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

METNET ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE NETWORK FOR MARS A.-M. Harri1, R. Pellinen1, M. Uspensky1,
T. Siili1, V. Linkin2, A. Lipatov2, H. Savijarvi3, V. Vorontsov4, A. Ivankov4 1Finnish Meteorological Institute,
Helsinki, Finland. 2Russian Space Research Institute, Moscow, Russia. 3University of Helsinki, Finland
4
Babakin Space center, Moscow, Russia. Ari-Matti.Harri @fmi.fi / Phone +358 50 337 5623

A new kind of planetary exploration vehicle for the MML will take panoramic pictures, and perform
Mars is being developed. The MetNet mission to measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity,
Mars is based on a new semi-hard landing vehicle wind direction and speed, as well as atmospheric
called Mars Meteorological Lander (MML). The optical depth. The MetNet prototype has been
scope of the MetNet Mission is eventually to deploy developed and the critical subsystems have been
several tens of MMLs on the Martian surface using qualified for Martian environmental and functional
inflateable descent system structures. The MML conditions. Presently a suborbital test launch is
will have a versatile science payload focused on the under preparation to test the descent systems of the
atmospheric science of Mars. Detailed MetNet. The first mission step in the MetNet
characterisation of the Martian circulation patterns, Mission is to have a MetNet Precursor Mission with
boundary layer phenomena, and climatological a few MMLs deployed to Mars. The MetNet-type of
cycles requires simultaneous in-situ meteorological mission is what the Martian atmospheric science
measurements from networks of stations at the currently needs. Detailed characterization of the
Martian surface. The scientific payload of the Martian atmospheric circulation patterns and
MetNet Mission encompasses separate instrument climatological cycles requires simultaneous in situ
packages for the atmospheric entry and descent atmospheric observations by a network of stations at
phase and for the surface operation phase. For the the Martian surface. The MetNet mission will
descent phase an imager, accelerometers and provide the logical next mission tool in the field of
devices for free flow pressure and temperature Martian atmospheric science.
observations are envisaged. At the Martian surface
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MEX/ASPERA-3 NPI DATA STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, A. Milillo1, A. Mura1, S. Orsini1, 1INAF/IFSI,

via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00185, Rome, Italy. [email protected]

Section 1: The Analyser of Space Plasma and discriminate signals coming from the planet, from a
Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3) Neutral Particle selected direction, or from specific planetographic
Imager (NPI) on board Mars Express (MEX) is regions at the planetary surface. Possible recurrent
devoted to energetic neutral atom (ENA) detection ENA signals are from the terminator and the above
within the Martian environment. These ENAs atmosphere toward night side, mainly when the
originate from the interaction between the energetic spacecraft is close to the edge of the shadow, while
ions flowing inside the Martian environment and the there is no signal relation to magnetic anomalies.
exospheric neutral gas, thus providing crucial This study shows that the statistical analysis of the
information about the dynamics of this interaction. NPI data does not produce significant results since
NPI records the instantaneous angular distribution the recurrent signals are below the sensor intrinsic
of the energy-integrated ENA signal. In order to error. In fact, the sensor has some intrinsic
identify recurrent ENA signals in the Martian limitations due to non-adequate UV suppression,
environment, we have performed a statistical difficulties in sector inter-calibrations, and
analysis of the NPI data. Count rates have been variations in the sector response versus time.
averaged in different ways in order to be able to
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MICROFLUIDIC CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS LAB-ON-A-CHIP SYSTEM

MICROFABRICATION AND INTEGRATION FOR THE UREY INSTRUMENT P. A. Willis1, B.D.
Hunt2, J. A. Smith1, V. E. White1, M. C. Lee1, H. F. Greer1, T. Chiesl3, R. A. Mathies3, and F. J. Grunthaner1.
1
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA, USA.
2
Atomate Corporation, Simi Valley, CA, USA. 3University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Contact: [email protected]

We have developed an advanced microfluidic deliver and remove buffer, sample, and waste from
capillary electrophoresis (CE) system integrated the four CE ports, under control of a Labview-
with on-chip Teflon-membrane valves and pumps driven pneumatic switching network. The device
[1], as part of the Urey Instrument, scheduled for configuration is similar to Mars Organic Analyzer
inclusion in the Pasteur Payload of the ExoMars developed at U.C. Berkeley [2], but includes
Rover. This work builds on the CE system significant design and process improvements to
developed by Skelley et al. [2], but extends the enable efficient Teflon valve operation and effective
capability through the use of bio- and spaceflight- bonding of the membrane. The completed wafer is
compatible Teflon-membrane valves rather than a mounted on a fluorescent microscope stage in a
PDMS-based approach. The CE system is currently custom fixture, which interfaces the pneumatic and
being used for sensitive compositional and chiral high voltage lines and has the capability for
analysis of amino acids with the goal of identifying controlled atmosphere testing (Figure 2). Typical
past or present life signatures in extraterrestrial electrophoretic separation data for a fluorescamine-
environments. The wafer design utilizes tagged amino acid run is plotted in Figure 3.
independent CE channels patterned in glass, along
with a Teflon membrane, a pneumatic manifold
layer, and a fluidic bus layer, as shown in the wafer References:
cross-sectional view of Figure 1. The valves [1] Willis, P.A., Hunt, B.D., White, V.E., Lee, M.C.,
provide isolation of the sample and buffer ports, as Ikeda, M., Bae, S., Pelletier, M.J., and Grunthaner, F.J.
well as peristaltic-type pumping in a three-valve (2007), Lab Chip, DOI:10.1039/b707892g.
[2] Skelley, A.M., Scherer, J.R., Aubrey, A.D., Grover,
configuration. Electrophoretic separation occurs in
W.H., Ivester, R.H.C., Ehrenfreund, P., Grunthaner, F.J.,
the all-glass channels near the bottom of the Bada, J.L., and Mathies, R.A. PNAS 102 (4), 1041-1046.
structure. The pumps and fluidic bus channels

Figure 1. (above) Cross-sectional diagram of CE wafer

stack including integrated Teflon valves and pumps.

Figure 3. (above) Fluorescence intensity vs. time for

electrophoresis of a solution of 50
M L-valine, L-serine,
and L-glutamic acid at two different detection points in the
separation channel.

Figure 2. (left) Photograph of JPL integrated CE system

showing the CE wafer with pneumatic and high voltage
inputs above fluorescent excitation/collection optics.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MICROMEGA: DESIGN AND STATUS OF A NEAR-INFRARED SPECTRAL MICROSCOPE FOR

IN SITU ANALYSIS OF MARS SAMPLES. V. Leroi1, J.P. Bibring1, M. Berthe1. 1Institut d’Astrophysique
Spatiale (IAS), Université Paris-Sud bât. 121, 91405 Orsay, France. Contact: [email protected]

From OMEGA to MicrOmega: The required to qualify this technology in those new
visible/near-infrared imaging spectrometer conditions.
MEx/OMEGA has provided a great change in our
vision of Mars [1,2]. In this context, we are Tests already performed: In the design and
developing a spectral microscopic imager, conception of MicrOmega, we have a full Labview
MicrOmega [3] for the ExoMars rover mission. This piloted test bench. An infrared source, which is an
instrument will acquire in situ reflectance spectra of industrial tungsten filament lamp, is now selected
Martian samples, at a scale of the grain size (spatial for our illumination system. An absolute sprectro-
sampling of 20
m per pixel), in a non destructive photometry of this lamp has been measured.
way. It will work in the spectral range 0.9 to 2.6
m. We have an operational AOTF (figure 1) in the
MicrOmega will illuminate 5 mm-sized sample spectral range 0.8
m up to 4
m. This AOTF has
sequently in 1000 contiguous wavelengh channels, been qualified at IAS to run at low temperature
and will take an image on a matrix detector for each (tested at 140K). This AOTF has also been
channel. In this way, we get an ‘Image Cube’ in calibrated on our Labview test bench and we have
which the full spectrum of the viewed area is tested all its characteristics (no second order,
acquired in each pixel. This will enable us to diffracted light wavenumber relative to the acoustic
retrieve the composition of the different phases frequency). We have optimized the output beam in
since each mineral exhibits a unique signature in the order to remove the non diffracted light that is
near-infrared through specific absorption bands. considered as noise.
This composition is essential to get new clues about
the formation and the evolution of Mars. Work in progress: We are now working on an
near-infrared focal plane array detector. This
The instrument: MicrOmega inherits the detector is a 356 per 256 pixels and will be included
structure and the development of the MEx/OMEGA in our optical scheme to perform imaging of Martian
[4] and the Rosetta/CIVA [5] instruments. The main analog samples. A demonstrator model should be
development focuses on the change of the usual ready within the end of the year. We will work on
grating technology by an Acousto Optics Tunable different ways to illuminate the sample thanks to a
Filter (AOTF) [6]. This optic device is composed of close collaboration with the ExoMars rover design
a cristal in which the light is diffracted by an team.
acoustic field (under specific conditions): the
wavenumber of the light diffracted is directly linked References:. [1] Bibring, J.-P. et al. (2006), Science 312,
to the acoustic frequency. This system does not 400-404. [2] Poulet, F. et al. (2005), Nature 438, 623-627.
weigh more than current technologies (60g) and [3] Berthe, M. and J.P. Bibring (2006), AGU Fall Meeting
presents important improvements: suppression of 2006, Abs. #P53A-05. [4] Bibing, J.P. et al., ESA pub., sp-
1240. [5] Bibring, J.P. et al. (2007), Space Science
mechanism, no second order, increased reliability,
Reviews Vol. 128, 397-412. [6] Goutzoulis, A.P. and D.R.
good resolution. This new technology has already Pape (1994), Design and fabrication of acousto-optic
been used in MEx/SPICAM [7] and VEx/SOIR [8] devices. [7] Korablev, O. et al. (2002), Adv. Space Res.
but the conditions are largely different: lower Vol. 29, 143-150. [8] Berthaux, J.L. et al. (2006), 36th
temperatures with day/night cycles, atmospheric COSPAR Scientific Assembly.
environment. Additional developments were

Figure 1. The Acousto Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) with its illumination system and its output optics.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THE MICROMEGA/EXOMARS INVESTIGATION J-P. Bibring1, F. Westall2, N. Thomas3 and the

MicrOmega team, 1IAS, Orsay Campus, France, 2CBM, Orléans, France, 3UoB, Bern, Switzerland
[email protected]

MicrOmega is a set of ultra-miniaturized in the near-infrared (0.8 – 2.6
m): for each pixel,
microscopes, designed to characterize the samples the spectrum will be acquired in up to 1000 spectral
acquired and distributed by the ExoMars Sample contiguous channels. Specifically, MicrOmega-I has
Preparation and Distribution System (SPDS). It is the capability of identifying and mapping hydrated
constituted of two distinct units, an optical color phases, such as phyllosilicates, sulfates and
microscope (MicrOmega-V) and a near-infrared carbonates, if ever present, which constitute unique
hyperspectral microscope (MicrOmega-I), operated tracers of potential habitability.
by a single electronic unit (MicrOmega-E).
The MicrOmega fully non destructive sample
MicrOmega-V has the capability of identifying the characterization will serve as the first step in an
texture, the structure and the morphology of each integrated analytical protocol, in which the samples
provided sample, down to a spatial sampling of
3 will be further analyzed by the various instruments

m: the samples will be sequentially illuminated by of the ExoMars analytical laboratory.
LEDs in a wide spectral range (UV to NIR),
possibly with polarizing filters, and imaged on a We will present the development status of our
CCD matrix. instrument, and the scientific goals of our
investigation, in the framework of the global
MicrOmega-I will characterize the molecular and ExoMars mission objectives.
mineralogical composition at a scale of ~20
m, by
the identification of diagnostic absorption features
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MICROWAVE SOUNDING OF THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE FROM AN EXOMARS ORBITER

F. Forget1, M. Capderou1, G. Beaudin2, A. Deschamps2, M. Gheudin2, A. Maestrini2, J.M. Krieg2, E. Lellouch3
T. Encrenaz3, T. Fouchet3, P. Ricaud4, J. Urban4, P. Hartogh5, E. Chassefiere6, F. Lefevre6, F. Montmessin6, A.
Emrich7, D. Murtagh8, M. Janssen9, R.T. Clancy10,
1
Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, IPSL, Université Pierre & Marie Curie, BP99, 4 place Jussieu, 75252
Paris, Cedex 05, France, 2 LERMA, Observatoire de Paris, France, 3 LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, France, 4
Laboratoire d’Aerologie, Toulouse, France, 5 MPIS, Lindau, Germany, 6 SA, Paris, France, 7 Omnisys, Sweden,
8
Chalmers Univ. Sweden, 9 JPL, Pasadena, USA, 10 SSI, USA, [email protected]

An Exomars Orbiter with a suitable orbit could be a (thought to be major) in oxydizing the martian
excellent opportunity to revolutionize our soil, a problem of key interest for exobiology
understanding of the the Martian climate and • Ozone : Ozone profile will be measured
meteorology, and of the composition of the Martian accurately up to 70 km, simultaneously with
atmosphere. For this purpose, we propose to analyze water vapor. This will allow us to better
the thermal emission of the atmosphere at understand the relationship between the two
microwave frequencies using heterodyne species
spectroscopy, for the first time from orbit around
• Carbon Monoxyde : the variations of this
another planet. In practice, the Mars Atmosphere
species will be monitored up to 120 km,
Microwave Brightness Orbiter MAMBO would
providing important clues on the meridional
perform measurements at the atmospheric limb and
transport in the Martian atmosphere.
at nadir using a receiver dedicated to the monitoring
of selected lines of key molecule around 320-350 Overall, the combination of these measurements
GHz: H2O, CO, 13CO, HDO, O3, H2O2. provides us with a complete view of Mars
Atmospheric dynamics, Water cycle, and
In such conditions, the instrument performance
atmospheric photochemistry. I
would allow the 3D mapping, with an excellent
spatial coverage, of the following characteristics : In practice, MAMBO would be a 20 kg class
instrument with a peak power of 30 to 50 W. A
• Winds : The high spectral resolution allows to
detailed concept (phase B) was designed for a
make use of the line profiles and their Doppler
previous project, but it could be revised in order to
shift. Limb viewing thus allows the fist direct
benefit from the significant progress made in the
measurements of the winds on Mars from orbit
very active microwave technological fields.
from 20 to 110 km with a vertical resolution
better than 10 km and an accuracy of about 15
m.s-1 Such a measurement, never done before,
would provide key information on the
atmospheric dynamic..
• Temperature : The temperature profile would be
retrieved with high vertical resolution (5 km)
without regard to dust opacity and season. A
unique characteristic of Microwave sounding is
the ability to profile temperature up to 120 km,
compared to 70 km for previous sounders.
• Water Vapour : near the surface up to 60 km,
with a sensitivity and vertical resolution (5 km)
much better than previous experiments, without
regard to dust opacity and season.
• D/H Ratio : This isotopic ratio will be mapped
accurately from 0 to 40 km by simultaneous
spectroscopy of H2O and HDO. Mapping the
variation D/H ratio is a key investigation to
understand the evolution of water on Mars,
escape processes, and Mars cloud microphysics..
• Hydrogen Peroxyde (H202) : This species has
only recently been detected on Mars, but it is
thought to be of key importance for the Figure 1 : Simulation of limb spectra at 10 km
photochemistry of the martian atmosphere around 320-350 GHz under typical Martian
(control of H2, O2 and CO) and for its role conditions.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MIMA, A MINIATURIZED FOURIER INFRARED SPECTROMETER FOR MARS GROUND AND

ATMOSPHERIC STUDIES: PART II, SCIENTIFIC GOALS. L. Zasova1, G. Bellucci2, B. Saggin3, S.
Fonti4, A. Grigoriev1, N. Ignatiev1, B. Moshkin1, F. Altieri2, E. Alberti3, G. Maurzo4. 1Space Research Institute,
IKI, 117997 Moscow, Russia. 2INAF, Istituto di Fisica Spazio Interplanetario, 00133 Rome, Italy.3Politecnico di
Milano, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 23900 Lecco, Italy. 4Università degli Studi di Lecce,
Department of Physics, 73100 Lecce, Italy.. [email protected]

MIMA with its spectral range 400 – 5000 Water vapor. Observations from the rover will give
cm-1 and spectral resolution of 5 cm-1 is powerful a possibility of measurements of abundance and
instrument for both the surface and atmospheric water vapor, its diurnal and seasonal variation.
studies. Parallel with the mineralogical investigation Vertical profile may be obtained from observations
and assistance the rover exobiological explorations of the near solar sky from zenith to horizon.
MIMA enables to study the boundary layer, aerosols Two water vapor bands may be used for water vapor
distribution and optical properties, minor estimation: 6.3μm (1400-1800 cm-1) and 2.6 μm
compound, including biologically important ones. (3900 cm-1).
Comparing to mini TES carried by Spirit and
Opportunity MIMA has higher spectral resolution (5
cm-1, against 10 cm-1 for TES) and in addition, 1 – _ ice = 0.5 (at 825 cm -1), no dust, _ = 10 °,
MIMA spectral range includes the solar reflected 2 – no ice, _ dust = 1 (at 1075 cm -1)
part of the IR spectrum up to 2.0 μm. CO2

CO2

1
3 H2Oice dust

1
2
2
H2O
ic e d u st

1 – _ ice = 0.5 (at 825 cm -1), no dust, _ = 10 °

2 – no ice, _ dust = 1 (at 1075 cm -1)
Fig 2. Synthetic spectrum in NIR spectral range of
3 - _ ice = 0.5 (at 825 cm -1), no dust, _ = 75 ° MIMA

Carbon monoxide, its abundance, vertical profile

Fig 1. Synthetic spectrum in TIR spectral range of
and variation will allow obtained measurements
MIMA
with MIMA. Biologically important components as
methane and formaldehyde will be measured in
Martian synthetic spectra of MIMA are shown in
the case of existence of local enhancements of this
Fig.1a,b for its TIR and NIR spectral ranges.
species.
Temperature profiles in boundary layer are
Russian channel of MIMA experiment can provide
retrieved with high accuracy and high vertical
not only the short-wavelength calibration, but also
resolution (up to 20-30 m) in the lowest 1-2 km
layer from inversion of the intensity in the 15
m Attenuated Total Reflection ("ATR") spectra of
CO2 band. airborne Martian dust and frosts precipitating from
Aerosol study. A particulate component of the Mars atmosphere.
atmosphere is composed by micron-sized particles, A possibility of cooperation of ExoMars and
which are products of soil weathering, and water ice Russian mission Phobos-Grunt is under discussion
clouds. They strongly affect the current climate of now. It will allow to produce joint observations by
the planet. Pointing possibility together with wide MIMA from the surface and by mini Fourier
spectral range of MIMA will allow not only spectrometer AOST on board of Phobos-Grunt from
monitoring of opacity and its variation but also orbit.
obtain aerosol optical properties, using EPF
observation mode.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MINERALOGY, MORPHOLOGY, SEDIMENTARY FILLING AND HISTORY OF ARAM CHAOS

ON MARS. M. Massé1, S. Le Mouélic1, O. Bourgeois1, C. Sotin1, J.-P. Bibring2, B. Gondet2, Y. Langevin2.
1
Laboratoire de Planétologie et de Géodynamique UMR-CNRS 6112, Université de Nantes, Faculté des
2
Sciences et Techniques, 2 chemin de la Houssinière BP 92208, 44322 Nantes Cedex 3, France, Institut
d’Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris 11, 91405 Orsay, France. [email protected]

Introduction: Aram Chaos is a crater 280 km in corresponds to the eroded and dust-covered surface
diameter located northeast of Valles Marineris. This of the bright sedimentary formation.
depression is connected to the Ares Vallis outflow The spectral characteristics of SU4 are typical of
channel by a 15 km wide, 2.5 km deep channel cut dusty areas. SU4 appears as chaotic terrains which
across the crater wall, which suggests that are stratigraphically below, and which crop out
significant amounts of water were present in the around the bright sedimentary formation.
past. Previous global-scale studies of TES and Erosion cliffs, cut across the bright sedimentary
OMEGA data revealed that the crater is filled by a formation, are covered by dark debris fans, which
dome-shaped, 900 m thick, sedimentary formation originate from the bright formation itself. Dark
with strong signatures of ferric oxides [1, 2]. The ferric oxide dunes are located on the bright
aim of our study is to describe the nature and sedimentary unit only. We therefore conclude that
structure of this sedimentary formation using higher the dark ferric oxide dunes and debris fans are
resolution data and to deduce a plausible history for erosional products of the bright sedimentary
Aram Chaos. formation. This hypothesis is consistent with
Methodology: We investigated the detailed observations, by the Opportunity rover in Meridiani
mineralogy of Aram Chaos by using the OMEGA Planum of (1) stratified outcrops containing both
instrument onboard Mars Express. This imaging sulfates and ferric oxides spherules and (2)
spectrometer has completed a near global coverage spherules accumulations in topographic lows [4, 5].
of Mars in 352 spectral channels from 0.3 to 5.1
m
at a spatial resolution ranging from 300 m to 4 km.
After removing of atmospheric contribution, we
computed maps of spectral parameters and maps of
the main mineralogical families derived from a
linear unmixing deconvolution algorithm [3]. These
OMEGA processing products have been integrated
into a GIS.
Morphological, textural and sedimentological
information is provided by available high resolution
images : MOLA for topographic information,
HRSC, MOC, and HiRISE for visible images and
THEMIS for visible and infrared images. These Figure 1. HIRISE image showing the three spectral units
SU1, SU2 and SU3.
images are integrated into the same GIS in order to
investigate correlations between mineralogical and Conclusion: We propose the following history
morphological characteristics. for Aram Chaos, which accounts for the observed
Results: Four spectral units (SU) are identified. mineralogical and geomorphological contraints. 1-
SU1 contains a strong ferric oxide signature, with a filling of an pre-existing crater by sediments. 2-
deep absorption band at 0.9
m, and a significant formation of chaotic terrains at the expense of these
increase of the reflectance between 0.9 and 1.3
m. rocks, possibly triggered by sudden withdrawal of
Absorption bands at 1.4 and 1.9
m also indicate the the water stored in the sediments themselves [2]. 3-
presence of a hydrated mineral. This SU is found on second infilling by a dome-shaped, stratified and
different areas corresponding on high resolution bright sedimentary formation containing both
images to large sheets of dark dunes covering sulfates and ferric oxides spherules. 4- wind- and
outcrops, too small to be resolved with OMEGA, of gravity-driven erosion of this unit, leaving local
a bright layered sedimentary formation. accumulations (debris fans on topographic slopes,
SU2 presents the same characteristics as SU1 but dark sand sheets and dunes on topographic flats and
with an additional broad band at 2.1
m, which is depressions) of ferric oxides spherules.
typical of sulfates (kieserite or szomolnokite being
References: [1] Glotch T.D. and Christensen P.R. (2005),
good candidates). SU2 is correlated with clean, wide JGR 110, E09006, doi:10.1029/2004JE002389. [2]
and fresh outcrops of the bright sedimentary Oosthoek J.H.P.et al. (2007), LPSC XXXVIII, Abs. #1577.
formation. [3] Combes et al. (2006), LPSC XXXVII, Abs. #2010. [4]
SU3 displays shallower absorption band depths Bell J.F. et al. (2004), Science, vol.305, p. 800-806. [5]
and presents a negative spectral slope characteristic Soderblom et al. (2004), Science, vol.306, p. 1723-1726.
of dust. On high-resolution images, SU3
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THE MINIATURIZED MÖSSBAUER SPECTROMETER MIMOS II: FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

FOR EXOMARS AND PHOBOS-GRUNT G. Klingelhöfer1, D. Rodionov1,2, M. Blumers1, L. Strüder3, B.
Bernhardt4, I. Fleischer1, C. Schröder1,5, R.V. Morris5, J. Girones Lopez1, G. Studlek1. 1Johannes Gutenberg
Universität Mainz, Institut Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Staudinger Weg 9, D-55099 Mainz,
Germany. 2Space Research Institute IKI, Moscow, Russia. 3MPI Halbleiterlabor, Otto-Hahn-Ring 6, D-81739
München, Germany. 4Von Hoerner&Sulger GmbH, Schwetzingen, Germany. 5NASA Johnson Space Center,
Houston, Texas, USA. [email protected]

Section 1: In January 2004, the first in situ electronic-board will be minimized by using state
extraterrestrial Mössbauer spectrum was received of the art digital electronics. A new ring-detector
from the Martian surface. At the present time system (Si-Drift detectors) will be used, thus
(August 2007) the two Miniaturized Mössbauer greatly improving energy resolution. We expect an
Spectrometers MIMOS II on board of the two Mars energy resolution of around 140-160 eV for
Exploration Rovers “Spirit” and “Opportunity” temperatures lower than 250 K. This will increase
continue to collect valuable scientific data [1-3]. the signal to noise ratio by a factor of 10 and,
Both spectrometers are operational after more than therefore, integration times will be reduced
3 years of work. Originally, the mission was significantly. In addition to the Mössbauer data,
expected to last for 90 days. To date more than 600
simultaneous acquisition of an X-ray fluorescence
spectra were obtained with a total integration time
spectrum will be possible, thus providing data on a
for both rovers exceeding 260 days.
sample’s elemental composition. New firmware
The MER mission has proven that Mössbauer
will be developed to optimize the instrument’s
spectroscopy is a valuable technique for the in situ
performance.
exploration of extraterrestrial bodies and the study
of Fe-bearing samples. The Mössbauer team at the
University of Mainz has accumulated a lot of References: [1] Klingelhöfer, G. et al., , Hyp. Int. 170
experience and learned many lessons during last (2006). [2] Morris, R.V., Klingelhöfer, G. et al., J.
three years. All that makes MIMOS II a feasible Geophys. Res. 111 (2006). [3] Morris R.V.,
choice for the future missions to Mars and other Klingelhöfer, G. et al., J. Geophys. Res. 111 (2006).
targets. Currently MIMOS II is on the scientific
payload of two missions: Phobos Grunt (Russian
Space Agency) and ExoMars (European Space
Agency).
Section 2: Phobos Grunt is scheduled to launch in
2009. The main goals of the mission are: a) Phobos
regolith sample return, b) Phobos in situ study, c)
Mars and Phobos remote sensing. MIMOS II will
be installed on the arm of a landing module.
Currently, we are manufacturing an engineering
model for testing purposes.
The ESA “ExoMars” mission involves the
development of a MER-like rover with more
complex scientific payload (Pasteur exobiology
instruments, including a drilling system). Its aim is
to further characterise the biological environment
in preparation for robotic missions and eventually
human exploration. Data from the mission will
provide invaluable input to the field of exobiology -
the study of the origin, the evolution and
distribution of life in the universe. The launch date
is scheduled for 2013. Like on MER, the MIMOS
II instrument will be mounted on a robotic arm.
Section 3: Advanced and improved version of
MIMOS II instrument is under development for
those and other future missions. The new design
includes additional mass reduction (total mass is
planned to be 320 g). The dimensions of the
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12-16 November, 2007

MODELING ERUPTIONS FROM APOLLINARIS PATERA: A STRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK

FROM HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES. L. Kerber and J.W. Head, Department of Geological Sciences,
Brown University, Box 1846, 324 Brook St., Providence, RI 02912

Introduction: The medium-sized Hesperian-aged in composition, volatile content, and depositional

volcano Apollinaris Patera (-8ºS, 174ºE) is located in history.
a unique position close to the global dichotomy A large fan occurs on the south flank of the
boundary. It also occurs in proximity to the Mars volcano. Several hypotheses have been proposed to
Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit landing site in Gusev explain the origin of the fan, including overlapping
Crater, where tephra deposits may be exposed in the pahoehoe flows5, pyroclastic flows6, and fluvial
Columbia Hills1. processes contributing to an alluvial fan6. On the
In preparation for modeling of eruptions from the basis of recent work at Ceraunius Tholus7, we find
volcano2, in combination with atmospheric general similarities suggesting that the fan may have a large
circulation models (GCM)3 to assess the distribution fluvial component. Less discussed is the smaller
and fate of eruptive products, we have used a topographic bulge on the northeast side of the
combination of THEMIS, HRSC and CTX images to volcano (Figure 1, Area B). Its true shape is
examine the volcano in higher resolution than was obfuscated by two large, fresh impact craters, but
previously possible and to identify several notable from topography alone it resembles the southern fan,
features. and the erosion pattern at its base shows the same
A host of pedestal craters have been detected characteristic branching, fluvial-like morphology.
suggesting that the flanks and summit of Apollinaris The two fans may be related, their formation guided
were covered with tephra-like deposits4. To the north, by a north-south zone of weakness defining the
a field of yardangs (part of the Medusae Fossae eastern side of the newest caldera at the summit.
Formation, MFF) (Figure 1, Area A) show several On the southwest flank of the volcano at the edge
separate units which erode in very different ways. of the fan there is a feature that has been mapped
Some are more indurated, eroding to form yardangs, previously as a graben8 (Figure 1, Area C). High
while others form long, undulating dunes. Still others resolution images reveal that parts of the graben
appear to be more indurated, with a mode of erosion resemble a volcanic vent (Figure 2), and could have
been a source for some of the fan material or for the
western now-disrupted volcanic plains. On the east
side of the edifice is a ~46 km
previously unmapped buried
crater. The two wrinkle ridges
that run along the flank of the
volcano deflect around the rim of
the crater, and the eastern half of
its ejecta is visible as part of an
armored remnant (Figure 1). The
crater likely predates the volcanic
edifice, and subsurface fractures
created during the impact could
have served as conduits for
Figure 2. Central
later magma rise. Mapping of arrow; vent. Upper
the stratigraphy of these arrow: possible
deposits is providing insight ancient flow. Bottom
into modeling the eruption and arrow; collapse feature
or outflow.
dispersal of near- and far-field
tephra.
References: [1] Dalton and Christensen (2006) LPSC XXXVII,
Abstract 2430. [2] Wilson and Head (2007) JVGR v. 163, iss. 1-4,
Figure 1. Apollinaris Patera. A) Multi-layered unit with
p. 83-97 [3] Forget et al. (1999) JGR v. 104, pg 24,155-24,176 [4]
unique erosional patterns. B) Possible secondary fan. C)
Kerber and Head (2007) 46th Vernadsky-Brown Symposium, [5]
Feature resembling a volcanic vent. D) Buried impact crater.
Robinson and Mouginis-Mark (1993) Icarus 104, 301-323 [6] R.C.
Ghail and J.E. Hutchison (2003) LPSC XXXIV, Abstract 1775, [7]
more like scour or pitting. These differences in Fassett and Head (2007) JGR v. 112, iss. 8, [8] Scott et al. (1993)
erosional regime could indicate underlying differences USGS Map I-2351.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MOLECULAR DETECTION OF LIFE ON MARS

Wilfred F.M. Röling1, Hauke Smidt2, Henk Leeuwis3, Erik Laan4, Pascale Ehrenfreund5.
1
Molecular Cell Physiology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam The Netherlands, 2Laboratory for Microbiology,
Wageningen University, The Netherlands, 3LioniX BV, Enschede, The Netherlands, 4Dutch Space, Leiden, The
Netherlands, 5Astrobiology, Leiden University, The Netherlands. [email protected]

Detecting extraterrestrial life is a challenging task. detection of hereditable information that deviates in
The payload of the European Exomars mission, its composition somewhat from that found on Earth.
scheduled for 2013, will carry instruments for
characterization of the organic environment and the Key issues that will be addressed in the research
detection of life on Mars. The development of include: (I) developing a robust extraction protocol
innovative molecular detection strategies is pivotal for biomarkers, with emphasis on nucleic acids,
for evaluating the possibility of past or present life from Mars-like materials; (II) developing sensitive,
on Mars. While current approaches mainly address amplification-based methods for the detection and
simple biomarkers, we propose to base the search characterisation of nucleic acids, including nucleic
for extraterrestrial life on complex molecules, acids that deviate in their composition from
especially hereditable information (DNA). We aim terrestrial DNA; and (III) characterisation of the
to address hereditable information as this is one of biodiversity of terrestrial Mars analogues, such as
the general characteristics of life-forms. Here, we permafrost, deep subsurface, deserts and extremely
outline a multi-tiered approach, which includes and acidic environments, by applying the developed
extends on experience in molecular microbial methodology.
ecology. The developed strategy will be applied to
Martian analogues on Earth and should allow for the
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

A Monte Carlo Model for Planetary Applications of X-Ray Powder Diffraction and Fluorescence

G. M. Hansford1, H. Su1, R. M. Ambrosi1, I. Hutchinson2, L. Marinangeli3 .

1
University of Leicester, Space Research Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University Road,
Leicester LE1 7RH. UK.
2
Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH. UK.
3
International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Dipartimento di Scienze, Universita' d'Annunzio, Viale
Pindaro 42, 65127 Pescara. Italy.
Contact e-mail: [email protected]

A Monte Carlo model for the simulation of x-ray The utility of this model lies particularly in the
powder diffraction and fluorescence is presented. flexibility of the geometrical arrangement of the
The model is primarily intended as a tool to aid the various elements, and the quantitative accuracy
development of a compact instrument for in situ which allows realistic integration times to be
mineralogical and chemical analyses of planetary assessed. Results of the comparison of two
surfaces. In the model, x-rays are produced either by potentially favourable geometries will be presented.
an x-ray tube or a radioactive source and detected The first geometry is the parafocusing Seeman-
with a CCD, including accurate quantum efficiency Bolin arrangement (see, for example, Jenkins and
and energy redistribution effects. Given the Snyder [1996]), while the second is a non-focusing
appropriate characteristics, further source and geometry involving a collimated x-ray beam. The
detector types could readily be added. The sample is merits of each geometry is elucidated in the context
assumed to be an ideal powder of any mineral or of a planetary instrument with realistic power,
mixture of minerals for which the crystal structures weight and volume budgets. Figure 1 shows an
are available. Additional model elements which may example of model output compared with
be included are circular/rectangular apertures, experimental data for a non-focusing geometry.
micropore collimators, and söller slits. Any number
of these elements and powder samples may be References:
included in a model run. Furthermore, any of the Jenkins, R. and R. L. Snyder (1996), “Introduction to
surfaces in the model (x-ray source, sample, and Powder Diffractometry”, Chemical Analysis Vol. 138, p.
detector) may be flat or curved, and in the latter case 180, John Wiley and Sons (New York).
the curvature can be spherical or cylindrical.

Figure 1. Comparison of experimental (left) and modelled (right) diffraction of Cu-K
x-rays from a barite (BaSO4) pressed-
powder sample.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF A SULFATE DOME IN EASTERN TITHONIUM CHASMA ,

MARS. D. Baioni1, F. C. Wezel1. 1Institute of Earth Science University of Urbino, Campus Scientifico Sogesta
61029 Urbino (PU), Italy. [email protected]

A morphological study has been carried out on an caracterizing the domal surface (eg, gully
elevated domal body located inside the eastern part excavation and lobate depositional features) are
of Tityhonium Chasma trough. According to regarded to be connected to a slow flowage motion
OMEGA mineralogical data the dome appears to be caused by the partial melting of interstitial ice in a
constituted by magnesium sulfate (kieserite). periglacial environment.
Major features of the dome morphology and The correlation between morphological features
morphometry has been investigated using HRSC, and the radial fault patterns over the sulfate dome
MOC and THEMIS data. has been studied too. The martian dome
The observed morphological variations are characterization should provide useful elements for
interpreted as due to the intensity of erosive the identification of Earth analogues.
processes (flood discharge or landslide events) that
have locally both destroyed or buried the previous
gully morphology. Several morphologies
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

A MULTI-INSTRUMENT EXOMARS STUDY OF METEOROID EFFECTS ON THE MARTIAN

ENVIRONMENT A. A. Christou1, A. D. Griffiths2, J. P. McAuliffe3, D. Koschny3, M. Pätzold4, J. Oberst5,
J.M. Trigo-Rodriguez6, J. Vaubaillon7, P. Withers8, J. E. Chappelow9. 1Armagh Observatory, College Hill,
Armagh BT61 9DG, UK 2 Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT,
UK 3 Solar System Missions Div., ESA/ESTEC/RSSD, Keplerlaan 1, NL-2201 AZ Noordwijk ZH, NL 4
Rheinisches Inst. für Umweltforschung, Abt. Planetenforschung, Universität zu Köln, 50931 Köln, DE 5German
Aerospace Center, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, DE 6Inst. of Space Sciences CSIC-IEEC, Campus UAB, Fac.
Sciencies, Torre C-5, 2a planta, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), ES 7Spitzer Science Center, California Inst. of
Technology, 1200 East California Boulvd, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA 8Center for Space Physics, Boston
University, 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA 9Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska
Fairbanks, 903 Koyukuk Drive, PO Box 757320, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, USA [email protected]

Mars, like the Earth, encounters meteoroids of type asteroidal fragments [1,13]. Pit-like formations
various sizes, composition and origin during its of this size have been observed by Opportunity
orbital trek around the Sun. Those meteoroids' mass although their origin, whether impact-related or
and kinetic energy are incorporated into the Martian otherwise, remains a mystery. Observing such pits
environment through: atmospheric ablation and would lead to estimates of their area density, and
deposition of meteoroid constituents in the upper characterise the mechanisms that destroy them over
atmosphere; efficient atmospheric braking leading time such as dust infilling. A combination of
to a meteorite on the surface; and hard impact, panoramic and hi-res camera observations is well
resulting in luminous flares (and/or plumes), seismic suited to this task and will determine the present
shaking and crater excavation [7]. These effects hazard from such meteoroids on surface activities.
have been modelled theoretically but in situ Meteorites, particularly rare nickel-irons, have
measurements needed to test these models have recently been identified on the Martian surface [15].
hitherto been lacking. The Exomars instrument suite The area density and size distribution of those and
presents an excellent opportunity to carry out such other, more common, meteorite classes are sensitive
observations and compare with similar processes to atmospheric density [2,3] and can be used as
detected at the Earth and Moon. The following proxies for past climate variations. Identification of
investigations that we advocate promote synergism such meteorites using imaging and spectroscopy
between the different instruments, require no during the landed part of the mission will provide a
hardware modification or space qualification of unique insight on the variation of the Martian
“soft” mission resources such as inflight software environment with time.
and provide maximum science for the effort. Apart from their role in fulfilling the mission
Meteor activity at Mars would be punctuated by goals of characterising the biological environment
annually recurring showers and occasional outbursts on Mars in preparation for robotic missions and
with pronounced effects on the Martian atmosphere human exploration, these investigations hold a
and surface [4,5,6,14]. These, mostly cometary, significant potential for communicating to the public
meteoroids, have been delivering prebiotic material the excitement of exploring Mars and the sense of
to Mars for the past 4.5 Gyr. As the present Martian "being there". Public release of selected data
atmosphere has similarities with that of the early products eg images of meteors and fireballs against
Earth, the astrobiological relevance of meteor the Martian sky are bound to have a positive impact
showers as exogenous sources of organics and water on the public perception of European planetary
for both Earth and Mars is obvious. exploration.
These events can now be predicted with sufficient
reliability both at Mars [6] and the Earth (eg [8,9]) References: [1] Chappelow, J. E. and V. L. Sharpton
to justify targeted observational campaigns. (2005), Icarus 178, 40-55 [2] Chappelow, J. E. and V. L.
Relevant measurements include: dual-eye Sharpton (2006), Icarus 184, 424-435 [3] Chappelow, J.
panoramic camera detection of visible meteors in E. and V. L. Sharpton (2006), GRL 33, CiteID L19201 [4]
Christou, A. A. (2004), EM&P 95, 425-431 [5] Christou,
the Martian sky using existing flight-qualified
A. A. and K. Beurle (1999), P&SS 47, 1475-1485 [6]
change-detection software to minimise data volume Christou, A. A. et al. (2007), A&A 471, 321-329 [7]
[10]; radio occultation height profiles of ionospheric Christou, A. A. et al. (2007), P&SS,
electron density during the orbital phase of the doi:10.1016/j.pss.2007.05.001 [8] Jenniskens, P. and J.
mission [12] and of the total electron content (TEC) Vaubaillon (2007), WGN 35, 30-34 [9] Jenniskens, P.
post-landing; and seismic detection of impact event (2007), CBET 1049 [10] McAuliffe, J. P., and A. A.
clusters correlated with Mars' passage through low- Christou (2006), Proc IMC 2005, 155-160 [11] Oberst, J.
speed meteoroid streams [11]. and Y. Nakamura (1991), Icarus 91, 315—325 [12]
Decimetre-to-metre size craters are theoretically Patzold, M. et al. (2005), Science 310, 837-839 [13]
Popova, O. et al. (2003), MP&S 38, 905-925 [14] Selsis,
expected on the Martian surface due to the influx of F. et al. (2004), A&A 416, 783-789 [15] Weitz, C. et al.
specific meteoroid subpopulations, eg cm-sized M- (2006), AGU Fall Meeting 2006, Abs #P41B-1268.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

MULTI-INSTRUMENT OBSERVATIONS OF AURORA-TYPES EVENT BY MARS EXPRESS

Leblanc F.1, Witasse O.2, Lilensten J.3, R. A. Frahm4, Ali Safaeinili5, D. A. Brain6, J. Mouginot3, J.L. Bertaux1,
J. D. Winningham4, W. Kofman3, R. Lundin7, J. Halekas6 and M. Holmström7 1 Service d’Aéronomie du
CNRS/IPSL, Verrières-le-Buisson, France. 2 Research and Scientific Support Department of ESA-ESTEC, The
Netherlands. 3. Laboratoire de Planétologie de Grenoble, France. 4. Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio,
TX 78228-0510, USA. 5. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA. 6. Space Sciences Laboratory,
University of California, Berkeley, USA. 7. Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Box 812, S-98 128, Kiruna,
Sweden [email protected]

We present a new set of observations of Martian

aurora obtained by SPICAM UV spectrometer on
board Mars Express (MEX). Several auroral
emissions are identified on the Martian night side
near crustal magnetic fields. During several orbits
consecutive events separated by several tens of
seconds are observed, highlighting the role of
closed and open field line structures in shaping
spatially these events. For most of these events
coordinated observations with MARSIS and
ASPERA-3 on board Mars Express were possible.
ASPERA-3 is composed of an ion mass analyzer
(IMA), of two neutral particle imager (NPI and
NPD) and of one electron spectrometer (ELS). For
these particular events, data from the electron
spectrometer were available so that a simultaneous
measurement of the precipitating electron flux was
possible. MARSIS is a multifrequency synthetic Figure 1: Map of the probability (expressed in
percentage) to be in an open field line region at 400 km
aperture orbital sounding radar which monitors in
in altitude on the Martian nightside as calculated from
particular the Total Electron Content (TEC) and the Electron Reflectometer on board Mars Global
which was operating for some of these events. At Surveyor (MGS) during its mapping phase orbit.
the end, SPICAM UVS is a UV spectrograph Electron pitch angle distributions have been recorded by
covering the spectral range between 110 and 300 MGS magnetometer/electron reflectometer every 2-8s
nm and which measures the atmospheric glow. It is during the spacecraft mapping orbit phase at ~400 km.
this latter instrument which clearly provides the Pitch angle distributions recorded in a single instrument
spectral evidence of the occurrence of an auroral- energy channel (115 eV - a channel typically
event. In order to avoid any ambiguity on the uncontaminated by photoelectrons) have been classified
according to their shape. This figure shows the
positions of the simultaneous measurements, we
probability, as a function of geographic location on the
used orbits of MEX during which SPICAM UVS Martian night side, of observing a statistically greater
field of view was nadir oriented. This new set of flux of electrons returning from the planet than moving
observations shows quite strong coincidences toward the planet [1]. Also plotted are the trajectories of
between the occurrence of energetic precipitating Mars Express (white solid line) below 1000 km altitude
electrons into the Martian atmosphere, the increase for the four orbits with aurora events. The white crosses
of the TEC, the presence of crustal magnetic field indicate the position of the aurora events identified in
anomalies and auroral-type glow. Following the SPICAM UVS data. The altitude of the spacecraft at that
definition of [1] of open / closed magnetic field time is indicated. The spacecraft was moving from
Northern to Southern hemispheres.
lines, we observe that the aurora detected by
SPICAM UVS occur on open field lines (Figure 1).
Reference [1] Brain D.A., Lillis R.J., Mitchell D.L.,
This conclusion therefore suggests a significant
Halekas J.S. and R.P. Lin, Electron Pitch Angle
relation between aurora events at Mars and the Distributions as Indicators of Magnetic Field Topology
presence of cusp like magnetic field line structures. near Mars, J. Geophys. Res., Submitted, 2007.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

A NEW MESOSCALE MODEL FOR THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE A. Spiga1 and F. Forget1.
1
Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris [email protected]

Figure 1. Wind velocity field ~20 m above the surface in the

Tharsis region after 2.5 elapsed simulation sols. Ls is 190°
(sol 389), local time is ~4h (12h UTC). Note that the
downslope winds amplitudes in the vicinity of Olympus Mons
(~30-35 m/s) are consistent with e.g. Rafkin et al. results [8].
The model is run with hydrostatic option and includes 50
vertical levels from the surface to ~15 Pa. Horizontal grid is
50x50 with resolution 60 km. Dynamical timestep is 74
seconds. Full physics are included, and computed each
dynamical timestep.

Introduction The new mesoscale model developed Martian physics The whole LMD/AOPP/IAA
at Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, aims to Martian physics, already used and validated in the
simulate Martian meteorology in realistic conditions LMD-Oxford GCM, are interfaced with the adapted
at finer scales than regular GCMs: transition from WRF dynamical core. Thus, the resulting Martian
large-scale to meso-scale, cyclogenesis and mesoscale model features the entire “state of the art”
frontology (1000-100 km), mesoscale atmospheric Martian physical model from the LMD-GCM [4,5] :
circulation and waves (100-10 km), non-hydrostatic radiative transfer with CO2 gas absorption/emission
phenomena (10-1 km), and micro-scale circulation and dust absorption, emission and diffusion;
(<1 km). turbulent diffusion scheme; convective adjustment
Dynamical core The dynamical core (i.e. the way scheme; soil thermal conduction model; CO2
atmospheric fluid dynamic equations are condensation processes; tracer (water ice, dust,
numerically solved) is adapted from the new chemical species) transport, dust sedimentation and
generation WRF-ARW (Advanced Research lifting; microphysics; chemistry; NLTE processes in
Weather Research and Forecasting Model) terrestrial the thermosphere... The new mesoscale model
model [1]. Martian physical constants and time benefits from the LMD/AOPP/IAA consistent and
conventions are included. carefully validated physical representation of the
The WRF solver uses fully compressible Martian CO2, dust, water and aerosols cycles.
nonhydrostatic Euler equations projected vertically In the future, minor adaptations will be required to
on mass-based terrain-following coordinates [2], include the upcoming enhancements of the LMD-
and horizontally on an Arakawa C-grid (with GCM physics [6] derived from comparative studies
different possible map projections on the sphere). with the recent Mars Express measurements. Adding
The temporal integration is computed with 3rd order external physical modules to the model, as well as
Runge-Kutta split-explicit scheme [3], which turning on terrestrial schemes easily tunable to Mars
integrates separately the meteorologically (e.g. planetary boundary layer), will be very easy
significant circulation and the acoustic modes. too.
Compared to regular leapfrog time-integration Applications The model can be applied e.g. to help
schemes, the Runge-Kutta scheme leads to interpreting surface pressure maps derived by
improved numerical stability and accuracy. The OMEGA [7]. More generally, such a tool will enable
dynamical core includes a forward-in-time scheme the Martian community to get insights into a wide
for tracer dynamics. range of applications: gravity waves, dust devils
The model is designed to run idealized and real-case studies, polar meteorology, atmospheric dynamics
simulations in domains with horizontal resolution around craters and mountains, landing sites choice
ranging from meter to kilometer scales. Several for future missions, convective processes, planetary
domains can be interactively nested to focus in a boundary layer and turbulence (Large Eddy
particular zone of interest. A gravity-wave absorbing Simulations), tracer dynamics, aerosols and
layer at the top of the model is included. Lateral microphysics studies, paleo-climates local
boundary conditions can be periodic, open, processes...
symmetric or specified. References
In the real-case mesoscale simulations, the 3D [1] Skamarock et al. (2005), NCAR Tech. Note
atmospheric starting state and the specified [2] Laprise (1992), MWR 120.
[3] Klemp et al. (2007), acc. MWR.
boundary conditions are interpolated from GCM
[4] Forget et al. (1999), JGR 104.
fields or climatologies by the WRF Preprocessing [5] Hourdin et al. (1993), JAS 50.
System (WPS) adapted to Mars. In addition, the [6] Forget et al., this issue.
adapted WPS can handle any surface dataset at any [7] Spiga et al. (2007), JGR 112 + this issue.
resolution to initialize the static fields. [8] Rafkin et al. (2002), Nature 419.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

NEW NUMERICAL ESTIMATIONS FOR BOTH IMPACT CONDITIONS AND HYDROTHERMAL

ZONES ON ISIDIS PLANITIA, MARS J. C. Echaurren 1. 1Codelco Chile Chuquicamata, North Division,
Pasaje Lince 976, Calama, Chile. [email protected]

Introduction: Mars’s Isidis Planitia [1] is one of fragments is calculated in ~ 0.27 g /cm
, and the
the largest impact Panitias on Mars with a diameter combined density for these fragments is calculated
of about 1,238 km. Isidis is located at N 14.1 deg in ~ 0.23 g /cm
. A scheme of the hydrothermal
and W 271.0 degrees and is the boundary between zone is showed in figure 1, according the numerical
ancient highlands and the Northern Plains. Isidis results obtained.
Planitia is a relatively unique impact basin [2] on
Mars as it has a clear, large gravity anomaly,
reminiscent of lunar mascons, and circumferential
tectonic features consistent with lithospheric
flexure. Curiously, the tectonic signature is limited
to a portion of the basin’s periphery at Nili and
Amenthus Fossae, zones of circumferential
extensional faulting, to the NW and SE,
respectively, of Isidis. Moreover, the basin is
bounded to the west by the Syrtis Major volcanic
province and to the E-NE by Utopia Planitia, each
capable of imposing their influence on the
deformation and state of stress in the lithosphere in
the vicinity of the basin. The aim of this work is to
estimate the impact conditions and predictions in
relation to the generation of hydrothermal systems,
using mathematical models. For the calculations
will be used both diameter and shape of the crater,
and chemical composition of the target rock on
Isidis Planitia.
Numerical results: According the models used for
this basin [3], the diameter of asteroid is calculated
in ~ 186.53 km, with both velocity and impact angle
on the martian surface of ~ 20.3 km/s and 53.26°
respectively. The number of rings on the crater are
calculated in ~ 35.25 with a initial crater profundity
of ~ 4.8 km, the melt volume is ~ 5.75E15 m
or ~
5.75E6 km
. The number of ejected fragments are
estimated in ~ 2.53E13 or ~ 25,325.4 billion of
fragments, with average sizes of ~ 6.35 m, and a
cloud of dust with diameter of ~ 3.25E14 m. The
total energy in the impact is calculated in ~ 5.14E32
Erg (1.22E10 megatons). Before of the erosion
effects the transient crater is estimated in ~ 828 km,
the hydrothermal zone (hydrothermal systems) is of
Figure 1. Hydrothermal zone according the numerical
~ 97.01 km to 413.98 km from the nucleus of estimations obtained.
impact, i.e., a hydrothermal zone of ~ 316.97 km.
The density of this asteroid (or comet) is calculated Future works will be more precise in the
in ~ 0.270 g/cm
. The seismic shock-wave determination of numerical results.
magnitude is calculated using linear interpolation in
~ 8.63 in the Richter scale. The temperature peak in References: [1] Scott, D., and Tanaka, K, (1986)
the impact is calculated in ~ 1.18E17 ºC (~ 7.84E9 Geological Survey Misc. Inv. Map, I-1802-A. [2] J.
times the temperature of the solar nucleus), by a Andreas Ritzer and Steven A. Hauck, II, (2007) Lunar
space of time of ~ 25.4 ms. The pressure in the final and Planetary Science XXXVIII, 2244.pdf. [3] Echaurren
crater rim is calculated in ~ 8.88 Gpa, and the J., and Ocampo A.C., (2003) EGS-AGU-EUG Joint
Assembly.
pressure to 1 km of the impact point is ~ 3.41
millions of Gpa. The maximum density for the
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE TEMPERATURE OF MARS INTERIOR TO INFER

THE SUBSURFACE STRUCTURE Fabio Gori1 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of
Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy [email protected]

Temperature distribution and oscillation inside layer of the investigated regolith can be modified
Martian regolith is very important for Mars taking into account a geothermal heat flux.
exploration and for the understanding of the inside Numerical simulations can be performed for soils
structure. The absence of temperature measurements with different porosity and different thermal and
in situ can justify the investigation of temperature physical properties.
variation with depth and time oscillation during the
day by means of numerical simulations. References:
Theoretical predictions of the temperature [1] F. Gori and S. Corasaniti, Theoretical prediction of the
distribution in a layer deep five meters have been thermal conductivity and temperature variation inside
carried out in [1-2]. The boundary condition at the mars soil analogues, Planetary and Space Science, 52 (1-
3) pp. 91-99, 2004.
surface with the Martian atmosphere has been of an
[2] F. Gori and S. Corasaniti, Thermal Properties and
imposed temperature oscillation during the day. A Temperature Variations in Martian Soil Analogues, In
more real thermal boundary condition is that of an Maravell N. S., Space Science: New Research, Chapter 6.
imposed convection and radiation on the surface. New York: Nova Science Publishers (USA), 2006.
Also the thermal boundary condition on the bottom
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THERMAL MEASUREMENTS IN MARTIAN REGOLITH R.

Nadalini1,2, N. Schmitz1, G.Messina1, J.Knollenberg1. 1DLR Institute of Planetary Exploration, Berlin, Germany,
2
Active Space Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany. [email protected]

Planetary heat flow is an important indicator of Hence, to be able to determine the soil’s
the internal temperature and heat transfer undisturbed temperature field, a detailed knowledge
mechanisms of terrestrial planets. Obtained directly of the instrument induced disturbances on the soil’s
at the surface, in-situ thermal measurements in thermal field is vital. The aim of this study is to
planetary regolith allow the determination of the develop numerical methods that can be used to
near-surface heat flow, hence being an important predict these disturbances and to filter them out,
mean to characterize a planet’s thermal state. thereby improving the scientific return of the
Usually, the heat flow is obtained by combining instrument.
two separate measurements: thermal gradient in, and In order to simulate the operative phase from the
thermal conductivity of the near-surface soil. In start of the penetration phase until the final depth we
order to obtain the thermal gradient, a depth use a 2D thermal mathematical model (developed in
resolved measurement of the soil’s temperature is ESATAN) including all hardware components and
needed. On unmanned missions, an instrumented the soil, with a complex dynamic connection to
penetrator is well suited for such measurements. simulate the relative motion of the probe in the soil.
Despite their importance, in-situ heat flow To obtain the undisturbed status of the soil column
measurements have so far only been performed on at a potential landing site (prior to the arrival of the
the Moon. To estimate the Martian planetary heat lander and start of the HP3 operative phase), a 1D
flow, scientists had to rely on indirect methods. thermal mathematical model of the soil in thermal
For ESA’s upcoming ExoMars mission, a ‘Heat equilibrium is used.
Flow and Physical Properties Probe’, the so-called The overall goal of the thermal modeling in this
HP3 instrument, has been proposed as part of the respect is to optimize the instrument’s operational
geophysics payload for the stationary lander profile by determining the required duration
element. The HP
instrument package consists of a between conclusion of a hammering episode and
mole that carries a package of thermal and electrical start of a meaningful thermal measurement. This
sensors to a depth of five meters. duration is essentially influenced by the need to
During descent, sensors on the package will allow heat conducted into the regolith from mole
measure the temperature, the thermal conductivity and front end electronics (FEE) dissipations to be
and diffusivity, and the electrical conductivity and transported away, allowing to sense an essentially
relative permittivity of the soil as functions of depth. undisturbed temperature field with the TEM sensor
After the mole has reached its final depth, the suite.
package will go into a monitoring mode. Together Furthermore, the analysis can serve to introduce
with the measurement of the thermo physical dedicated design measures to minimize the
properties of the soil, the long term monitoring of instrument induced disturbances on the thermal field
the temperature-depth profile will for the first time around the mole.
on Mars allow to determine the surface planetary Future developments of this work will include
heat flow which is a key constraint for models of the the development of dedicated models to be able to
Martian volatile cycle as well as for planetary simulate thermal vacuum tests currently being
thermal and habitability evolution models. carried out at DLR.
However, being an active system, the HP3 References: Messina, G. et al. (2006), Thermal Analysis
instrument inevitably dissipates heat into the soil of HP3, a penetrometer to measure the planetary surface
during penetration as well as monitoring phase, heat flow, IAC 2006 Conference proceedings.
thereby itself altering the soil thermal field around
it, first of all the temperature profile.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THERMAL MEASUREMENTS IN MARTIAN REGOLITH R.

Nadalini1,2, N. Schmitz1, G.Messina1, J.Knollenberg1. 1DLR Institute of Planetary Exploration, Berlin, Germany,
2
Active Space Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany. [email protected]

Planetary heat flow is an important indicator of Hence, to be able to determine the soil’s
the internal temperature and heat transfer undisturbed temperature field, a detailed knowledge
mechanisms of terrestrial planets. Obtained directly of the instrument induced disturbances on the soil’s
at the surface, in-situ thermal measurements in thermal field is vital. The aim of this study is to
planetary regolith allow the determination of the develop numerical methods that can be used to
near-surface heat flow, hence being an important predict these disturbances and to filter them out,
mean to characterize a planet’s thermal state. thereby improving the scientific return of the
Usually, the heat flow is obtained by combining instrument.
two separate measurements: thermal gradient in, and In order to simulate the operative phase from the
thermal conductivity of the near-surface soil. In start of the penetration phase until the final depth we
order to obtain the thermal gradient, a depth use a 2D thermal mathematical model (developed in
resolved measurement of the soil’s temperature is ESATAN) including all hardware components and
needed. On unmanned missions, an instrumented the soil, with a complex dynamic connection to
penetrator is well suited for such measurements. simulate the relative motion of the probe in the soil.
Despite their importance, in-situ heat flow To obtain the undisturbed status of the soil column
measurements have so far only been performed on at a potential landing site (prior to the arrival of the
the Moon. To estimate the Martian planetary heat lander and start of the HP3 operative phase), a 1D
flow, scientists had to rely on indirect methods. thermal mathematical model of the soil in thermal
For ESA’s upcoming ExoMars mission, a ‘Heat equilibrium is used.
Flow and Physical Properties Probe’, the so-called The overall goal of the thermal modeling in this
HP3 instrument, has been proposed as part of the respect is to optimize the instrument’s operational
geophysics payload for the stationary lander profile by determining the required duration
element. The HP
instrument package consists of a between conclusion of a hammering episode and
mole that carries a package of thermal and electrical start of a meaningful thermal measurement. This
sensors to a depth of five meters. duration is essentially influenced by the need to
During descent, sensors on the package will allow heat conducted into the regolith from mole
measure the temperature, the thermal conductivity and front end electronics (FEE) dissipations to be
and diffusivity, and the electrical conductivity and transported away, allowing to sense an essentially
relative permittivity of the soil as functions of depth. undisturbed temperature field with the TEM sensor
After the mole has reached its final depth, the suite.
package will go into a monitoring mode. Together Furthermore, the analysis can serve to introduce
with the measurement of the thermo physical dedicated design measures to minimize the
properties of the soil, the long term monitoring of instrument induced disturbances on the thermal field
the temperature-depth profile will for the first time around the mole.
on Mars allow to determine the surface planetary Future developments of this work will include
heat flow which is a key constraint for models of the the development of dedicated models to be able to
Martian volatile cycle as well as for planetary simulate thermal vacuum tests currently being
thermal and habitability evolution models. carried out at DLR.
However, being an active system, the HP3 References: Messina, G. et al. (2006), Thermal Analysis
instrument inevitably dissipates heat into the soil of HP3, a penetrometer to measure the planetary surface
during penetration as well as monitoring phase, heat flow, IAC 2006 Conference proceedings.
thereby itself altering the soil thermal field around
it, first of all the temperature profile.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

OMEGA-CRISM CHARACTERIZATION OF MAFIC CRUSTAL COMPOSITION IN THE SYRTIS

MAJOR REGION J. F. Mustard1, P. Thollot1, S. L. Murchie2, B. L. Ehlmann1, L. A. Roach1, F. Seelos2, F.
Poulet3, J.-P. Bibring3, D. Baratoux4, P. Pinet4, Y. Langevin3, B. Gondet3. 1Dept. of Geological Sciences, Box
1846, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 [email protected], 2JHU/Applied Physics Laboratory,
Laurel, MD 20723, 3Institute d’Astrophysique Spatial, Université Paris 11, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France.
4
UMR5562/DTP/OMP, 14, Av. E. Belin, Toulouse, 31400 France

Introduction: The mafic mineralogy of the (at pericenter) to 4.8 km (at 4000 km altitude), and a 7
martian crust records crust forming processes and the to 20 nm spectral resolution in 352 spectral bands over
composition of melt source regions associated with 0.35-5.1 µm. Since entering orbit in January 2004,
volcanism [1]. Remotely sensed and landed OMEGA has acquired global coverage between 1-2
measurements are dominated by the signatures of km/pixel and high-resolution (<500 m/pixel) coverage
feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine and imply that, where for >5% of the planet.
exposed, the igneous crust is dominantly basaltic [2, Pyroxenes exhibit two distinct absorptions
3]. Thermal infrared data (TIR) show two major centered near 1 and 2 µm that result from electronic
divisions in crustal composition. Type I material, crystal field transitions of Fe in octahedral
predominantly in the equatorial highlands, is basaltic, coordination [13, 14, 15]. To map the distribution of
and Type II, found predominantly in the northern pyroxene, we use a method based on the Modified
lowland plains, has been variously interpreted to be Gaussian Model [16]. For both instruments we use the
andesite or basaltic andesite [4], altered basalt with a 1.0-2.6wavelength range to avoid problems due to
significant component of hydrolytic weathering discrepancies in the spectra at the overlap between
materials [5, 6], oxidized basalt [7] or silica-coated detectors.
basalt [8]. Results The presence of HCP enrichment in the
Detailed analysis of OMEGA data in the Syrtis ejecta deposits of some of the craters in Syrtis Major
Major region show a diversity of compositions was analyzed by [11]. They argue that this could be
(Mustard et al., 2005; Pinet 2007) [9, 10] and due to the presence of HCP-enriched lava flows at
indications of possible layering in the lavas and/or depth. Modeling suggests a depth of 300 m. The
distinct alteration of the upper surface [11] (Baratoux
enrichment of HCP in some ejecta blankets is
2007). Here we present the first results for the crustal
confirmed by CRISM. Full resolution CRISM
composition of Mars derived from coordinated
observations reveal interesting details of the geology,
analysis of OMEGA (Observatoire pour la
Mineralogie, l’Eau, les Glaces et l’Activité) [12] and including excavation of HCP-enriched rocks from
CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging beneath a cover of LCP-enriched materials and the
Spectrometer for Mars) [13] reflectance observations. complex nature of the Noachian Highland.
[9, 10, 11]. For this initial analysis we focus on the Furthermore we see HCP enrichment in a number of
pyroxene mineralogy. This work follows that of craters <1 km in diameter. We will continue this
Baratoux [11] and Pinet [10]. With the higher spatial analysis to refine the understanding of volcanic rocks
resolution of CRISM, we test the hypotheses presented in this important region.
by Baratoux [11] on the alteration of the crust and References: [1] McSween, H. Y. et al. (2003), JGR 108,
possible layering of compositions in the Syrtis Major 10.1029/2003JE002175. [2] Bandfield, J. L. et al. (2000),
Science 287, 1626. [3] Mustard, J. F. et al. (1997), JGR 102,
volcanic region.
25605-25616. [4] Hamilton, V. E. et al. (2001), JGR 106,
Datasets and Methods: CRISM is a visible-near 14733. [5] Wyatt, M. B., McSween, H. Y. (2002), Nature
infrared (VNIR) and infrared (IR) imaging 417, 263. [6] Morris, R. V. et al. (2003), Sixth International
spectrometer on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Conference on Mars, LPI Contribution 3211. [7] Minitti, M.
(MRO) that can acquire high resolution targeted E. et al. (2002), JGR 107, E5, 10.1029. [8] Kraft, M. D.,
observations at 544 wavelengths from 0.36-3.92 µm at Michalski, J. R., Sharp, T. G. (2003), Geophys. Res. Let.
15-19 m/pixel and multispectral mapping data with 72 30, Art. No. 2288. [9] Mustard, J. F. et al. (2005), Science
307, 1594-1597. [10] Pinet et al. (this meeting). [11]
wavelengths at 100-200 m/pixel [13]. We primarily
Baratoux, D. et. al. (2007) JGR 112 E08S05. [12] Bibring,
focus on the multispectral observations. Data are J-P. et al. (2005), Science 307, 1576-1581. [13] Murchie, S.
processed to account for all instrumental effects and et al., (2007) JGR, 112, E05S03. [12] Bibring, J-P. et al.
reduced to radiance. From these data, I/F is calculated (2004), ESA SP 1240, 37. [13] Burns, R. G., Mineralogic
and then corrected for solar incidence angle and the Applications of Crystal Field Theory, Cambridge University
effects of atmospheric transmission absorptions using Press 1970. [14] Adams, J. B. (1974), JGR 79, 4829. [15]
an approach similar to that used by the OMEGA King, T. V. V., Ridley, I. (1987), JGR 92, 11457. [16]
Sunshine et al. (1990), JGR 95, 6955-6966.
experiment [9].
OMEGA is a VNIR and IR hyperspectral imager
on the ESA/Mars Express mission [12]. It has a 1.2
mrad IFOV, a spatial sampling that varies from 300 m
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

OMEGA/MARS EXPRESS, WATER VAPOUR DAILY VARIABILITY OVER THE SOUTH POLE.
Riccardo Melchiorri1, T. Encrenaz1, P. Drossart1, T. Fouchet1, D. Titov2, L. Maltagliati2, F. Forget3, F. Altieri4,
G. Bellucci4, Y. Langevin5, J.P. Bibring5 1LESIA/OBSPM, France, 2 Max Planck, Germany, 3LMD, France,
4
INAF - IFSI, Italy, 5IAS, France.

Introduction: The Martian Water cycle is one of than at the end (10-20 pr-
m of difference; Fig 1).
the main cycles that control the dynamic of the OMEGA has been designed to observe the day side
Martian atmosphere. Recent observations has of the planet, which means that in nominal
shown a highly spatial and temporal variability. It is conditions each orbit starts in the morning.
not yet clear in which proportion these variabilities This phenomenon gives us the possibility to study in
are locally produced or if a dynamic of the detail the growth of water vapour in the atmosphere
atmosphere redistribute them in the atmosphere, during the day for this period .
specially concerning the Polar Regions. Data analysis: This period is characterized by a
The Polar Region is a peculiar and ideal place where maximum of water vapour in the air (reaching 15
it is possible to observe a variability correlated with ppt-
m) and a ground temperature close to the water
the local time. We report on an daily variation of saturation. No water ice is spectrally detected on the
water vapour on the south pole region (SPR), ground by OMEGA.
observed by OMEGA/Mars Express during the We estimate a quasi constant production of water
south spring-summer period (LS 250°-270°) outside vapour of 0.5 ppt-
m/hour; 8 ppt-
m at 3 AM (local
the CO2 ice cap. time) to 18 ppt-
m at 6 PM (Fig. 2). Our
Temperature and pressure taken from the EMCD [1] observations do not cover the whole day, which
model shows values close to the saturation point. makes impossible to understand if during the
Being the morning temperatures lower than during “night” the water vapour locally condenses on the
the day, it is possible that water vapour condenses ground, if it is driven away outside the SPR or if it
during the night and that it starts to sublimate in the condenses again on the CO2 ice cap. However if the
morning, expanding and redistributing in the water locally condenses, it should happen in
atmosphere. between 7 PM and 2 AM and should be detectable
We have developed a fast method to retrieve the by OMEGA.
water vapour content of the OMEGA data, through References: [1] Forget F. et al., 1999, J. Geophys. Res.
the analysis of the 2.6
m band, based on the 104, 24155-24176. [2] Melchiorri R. et al 2007, Planetary
assumption that the Water vapour partial pressure is and Space Science 55 333–342. [3] Encrenaz, T. et al.,
proportional to the band depth [2, 3]. 2005. Astron. Astrophys. 441, L9–L12. [4] Bibring, J.-P.,
2004 ESA-SP 1240, 37–49
The totality of the OMEGA [4] orbits taken into
account starts with a lower value of water vapour

associated to a possible contamination of data by CO2 ice

and should not be considered.

Fig 2: From left to right three periods are represented:

LS=250° , 260° and 270°. Top: water vapour variability
as a function of the local time (p is the intersection and m
the angular coefficient for the linear best fit). Bottom:
Fig 1: Top: Visible RGB reconstruction of the SPR, no water vapour variability as a function of the incidence
clouds are detected; Middle Top CO2 ice detection angle (negative values stand for evening).
through the 3
m band; Middle Bottom water vapour
detection in the morning (5-9 AM); Bottom, water
vapour detection in the evening (2-5 PM). Saturation
(white regions) in the water vapour detection should be
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

OMEGA-PFS OBSERVATIONS OF A LOCAL DUST STORM ON MARS. F. Altieri1, G. Bellucci1, F.G.

Carrozzo1, D. Grassi1, L. Zasova2, J. P. Bibring3, V. Formisano1, 1INAF-IFSI, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 00133
Rome, Italy, 2IKI, Moscow, Russia, 3 Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, University of Paris-Sud, Orsay Paris,
France. [email protected]

Dust plays an important role in current time, also the PFS instrument [2] took high
Martian climate. The particulate component of the resolution spectra over the region, thus allowing to
Mars atmosphere is composed of micron-sized retrieve the pressure and thermal profiles with the
particles, which are products of soil weathering, and altitude. These joint observations constitute a unique
water ice clouds. In the absence of a dust storm, a data set which allows to study both the physical and
so-called permanent dust haze with opacity

scattering properties of the suspended dust and the
0.05–0.2 in the atmosphere of Mars determines its mechanism of formation of dust storms on Mars.
thermal structure. Dust loading varies substantially Moreover, the study of airborne dust can allow to
with the season and geographic location. Opacity better constrain its spectral behavior in order to
may reach several units during a dust storm. decouple its effect from the surface mineralogy.
In this work we report on the observation
of a dust storm in the Atlantis Chaos region on
Mars, observed by the OMEGA [1] instrument on References: [1] Bibring, J-P., et al. (2004), ESA SP-
board of Mars Express. The observation was done 1240, 37 - 49. [2] Formisano, V., et al. (2004), ESA
on March 2nd, 2005 at 11.00 LT and Ls = 168° (end SP-1240, 71 – 94.
of southern winter), Figure 1 and 2. At the same

a) b)
Figure 1 – a) RGB composite image (R = 0.68 μm, G = 0.53 μm, B = 0.43 μm). Suspended dust can be seen in the
bottom part of the image. – b) Temperature map derived from the 5 μm OMEGA radiance. The dust storm exibhits the
lowest temperature in the scene.

Figure 2 Altitude of the dust storm compared to the surface topography. The temperature along the segment shown in Fig.
1-b) is plotted in red.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

Physical and chemical characterization of terrestrial carbonates of biotic and abiotic origin in the frame
of the future in situ investigation of the surface of Mars F. Stalport1, P. Coll1, C. Szopa2. 1Laboratoire
2
Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), University Paris XII, Créteil France; Service d’Aéronomie
(SA), University Paris VI, Paris France. Contact : [email protected]

The collection of independent and various data trace elements in the crystal lattice, as well as the
with the future space probes to Mars should be larger growth speed of biotic calcites, must be
necessary to point out and confirm the presence for responsible for differences between the physical and
past or present life on Mars, if it ever existed. chemical properties of carbonates.
Among the targets to consider to reach that goal, we We investigated numerous different terrestrial
propose minerals produced from a past biological carbonate samples, of different structures (calcites,
activity, named biominerals. Indeed, it seems today, aragonites), and from various origins (biotic,
considering the recent advances done thanks to the diagenetic and abiotic). The minerals were studied
MERs and MEx space probes, that early Mars by X-ray diffraction and electron scanning
owned a denser atmosphere, probably made of CO2, microscopy to determine their mineralogical and
and a mild climate, allowing liquid water to stand at chemical composition, and differential thermal
the surface for long periods. Similar environmental analysis coupled to thermogravimetric analysis
conditions led to the origin of life on the Earth more (DTA-TG) to determine their thermal behavior.
than 3.5 billion years ago; and led to the production Our results show that the thermal degradation of
of large amounts of biominerals such as carbonates. abiotic carbonates occurs at a temperature at least
Such a process could have taken place on Mars, 20°C higher than the degradation temperature of any
even if carbonates still not have been detected in biotic carbonate investigated (see figure 1 for calcite
large amounts on the red planet (Bibring et al., [2]). Consequently, in the case of a Martian in-situ
2005). exploration, or in a sample return mission, the
Also, we investigated the physical and chemical analysis of Martian minerals by DTA-TG represents
properties of terrestrial carbonates, with the aim to a promising approach to provide one of the clues for
evaluate the possibility to identify biotic carbonates a past biological activity on Mars.
from their abiotic form with a simple diagnostic
possibly transposable to in situ exploration.
Carbonates are interesting because they are References: [1] Bibring, J.-P. et al. (2005) Science 307,
produced on Earth both from abiotic and biotic 1576-1581. [2] Stalport F. et al. (2005), GRL 32, L23205.
processes. We assumed that crystalline defects and

0
830,00 840,00 850,00 860,00 870,00 880,00 890,00 900,00 910,00 920,00 930,00
Température (°C)

Figure 1. Temperatures of degradation of various calcites: in red, abiotic ones; in green, biotic ones; in purple, diagenetic
ones (mix between biotic and abiotic minerals)
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

POSSIBILITIES OF TERRAFORMING MARS M.K. Shrivastava Department of Geography B.S.P.,

H.S.School Risali Sector, Bhilai Nagar, Durg (C.G.), INDIA [email protected]

“Earth’s active internally produced energy (hot house effect further cooling the Martian
mantle) constantly sends the submerging seawater atmosphere. Similarly other dissolved gases might
back to the surface (through Mid Oceanic Ridges / also have submerged along with Martian surface
MOR, Volcanoes, hot springs etc.) by vaporization water causing thin atmosphere and very low
and thus also keeps effluence of huge amount of surface temperature on Mars. Melting of Martian
CO2 (Dissolved Inorganic Carbon / DIC) and other polar and subsurface ice by increased green house
dissolved gases alive, from submerging seawater to effect or bombardment of asteroids, etc. would
the atmosphere. In this way, Earth’s active make liquid water available on Martian surface but
internally produced energy (hot mantle) prevents this melted water will again get submerged
the entire surface water from getting submerged gradually, with the dissolved gases into its
into its subsurface along with the huge amount of subsurface and will not return back due to
DIC and other dissolved gases and is responsible diminished internal energy production (cold
for constant existence of surface water, atmosphere mantle) of Mars. Hence terraforming or
and greenhouse effect on Earth. Diminished revivification of Mars will be possible only when
internally produced energy of early Mars would its diminished internal energy production is got
have resulted into cold mantle. While getting cold regenerated or reactivated to make its mantle hot
the volume of Martian liquid mantle would have again. Only then, the submerged water (subsurface
reduced because of constriction due to ice), trapped CO2 and other gases will return back
solidification. Then the solid Martian crust might and exist constantly on the Martian surface and in
have had adjusted itself over the cooling mantle its atmosphere. Without this all the efforts to
creating many crakes in the crust and gaps at many terraform or revive Mars would ultimately result in
places between Martian cold mantle and crustal failure. But such technology which can regenerate
base while shifting of crust on the mantle. These or reactivate the diminished Martian internal
gaps and crakes would have acted as sufficient energy production has not been developed so far
reservoir for submerging Martian surface water. and its possibility in near future also seems to be
Therefore, diminishment of internally produced negligible. So, to terraform or revive Mars, we
energy of earlier Mars would have resulted in should first think that in future, can we ever
gradual submersion of the entire Martian surface reactivate or regenerate the diminished Martian
water into its subsurface and some interior (which internal energy production? As this is an
could not return back to the surface due to cold impossible task with in the present frame of
Martian mantle) along with a large amount of DIC, knowledge. In future Earth will have to encounter
breaking the efflux of CO2 from entire submerging similar conditions like present day Mars, when
surface water to the atmosphere, however its influx Earth’s internally produced energy will also get
remain continued. It would have caused diminished”.
disappearance of surface water and poorer green
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

POSSIBLE MARTIAN LANDING SITES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FUTURE EUROPEAN

EXPLORATION MISSIONS P. D. Martin. European Space Agency, European Space Astronomy Centre
(ESAC), Villafranca del Castillo (Madrid), Spain. [email protected]

Introduction: The selection of landing sites for evidence from orbit (Mars
Mars missions typically follow a roadmap such as Express/OMEGA [3]).
represented in Figure 1, implying a required number o Isidis Planitia, in particular
of iterations that must reconciliate landing site because this region presents a low
engineering constraints with the scientifically-driven vertical roughness [4].
selection process and lead to the identification of o Chryse/Acidalia Planitia, where
prime and backup landing sites. Pinpointing with phyllosilicates, hydrated minerals
precision a number of landing sites for future Mars and sulfates can be found [3].
missions is now possible thanks to the wealth of o The region that spans the terrains
scientific data and high-resolution mapping products from Sinus Meridiani to Syrtis
resulting from recent and ongoing successful Mars Major, between 15ºS and 45ºN.
orbiter missions. The main goal of this work is to This region exhibits a high dust
consolidate available mapping products (e.g., index, and is represented by
geological, hyperspectral and compositional) in rougher, heavily cratered terrains
order to support the selection process of candidate in many areas.
landing sites for future European Mars missions.
Within these regions, a more detailed
identification of landing sites has been started by
refining the study (top-down approach) using
higher-resolution geological and compositional
maps coupled with other parameters and constraints.
Preliminary results lead to the following, non-
exhaustive list of candidate landing sites:

• Nilo Syrtis Mensae

• Nili Fossae region
• Mawrth Vallis
• Gale Crater
• North Meridiani
• Candor Chasma
Figure 1. Mars landing site selection roadmap. • Eos Chasma
• Juventae Chasma
Results: A preliminary investigation was • South Olympus Mons
carried out, assuming a set of landing requirements
[1]. Possible landing regions on Mars resulting from These areas may be considered as a first set of
this preliminary investigation were categorised into study zones as part of the science-driven and
two classes, depending on the level of risk assessed success-oriented selection process for future Mars
for the landing, as summarized below: missions such as Exomars. The results shall then be
• Low-risk regions: Amazonis Planitia, confronted with bottom-up approaches consisting in
Utopia Planitia, and Elysium Planitia. One the pre-selection of sites purely based on scientific
of their potential drawbacks is that most goals prior to the assessment of their suitability for
areas of these regions exhibit a relatively landing.
high dust index [2] which could be
detrimental to the scientific interest of the References: [1] Martin (2007), EPSC abstract #
in-situ mission. EPSC2007-A-00305. [2] Ruff and Christensen (2002),
• Moderate-risk regions: JGR 107. [3] Bibring et al. (2006), Science 312. [4]
o Syrtis Major / Nili Fossae, where Kreslavsky and Head (2002), GRL 29.
phyllosilicates and hydrated
minerals can be found based on
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

Preliminary laboratory XRD/XRF instrument tests and evaluation

H Su1, G. M. Hansford1, R. M. Ambrosi1, A. F. Abbey1, D. Vernon1, J. Sykes1, I. B. Hutchinson2,

L. Marinangeli3, A. Stevoli4
1
University of Leicester, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
2
Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH. UK.
3
International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Dipartimento di Scienze, Universita’ d’Annunzio, Viale
Pindaro 42, 65127 Pescara. Italy.
4
Thales-Alenia Space, S.S. Padana Superiore 290, Vimodrone, Milano, Italy
Contact e-mail:[email protected]

XMM EPIC CCD22 manufactured by e2v

Section 1: Technologies and is fitted on a motorised rotating
The results of preliminary laboratory tests carried arm. The laboratory experiments were carried out in
out by the University of Leicester are presented. a representative Mars environment (in terms of
The tests were carried out in a Mars environment temperature and CO2 atmospheric pressure).
simulation chamber in support of the MARS-XRD Theoretical calculations were performed
project. MARS-XRD is a combined X-ray simultaneously to verify the results.
diffraction and fluorescence instrument. It is also The tests were aimed at exploring the
one of the pre-selected instruments for the ESA spectroscopic performance of the detector and
ExoMars mission scheduled for launch in 2013 [1,2]. determine the impact of source intensity, X-ray
X-ray diffraction is an analytical technique used to energy and geometry on the signal to noise levels
determine the crystallographic structure of minerals, recorded and the measured XRD spatial resolution.
while X-ray fluorescence is commonly used to Various samples were used in the tests. Figure 1
determine the chemical composition of rock samples. shows an example of the XRF spectrum and XRD
Although well developed for terrestrial applications, pattern of a barite sample.
XRD has not yet been applied in a planetary context
so far. References:
A Mars environment simulator test chamber, [1] Marinangeli et al. (2005) Geoph. Res. Abs., Vol. 7.
which consists of X-ray source, source collimator [2] Marinangeli et al. (2006) Eos Trans. AGU, 87(52),
tube and rotating sample table, was designed and Fall Meet. Suppl., Abs. P51D-1227.
built by the University of Leicester. The CCD is an

Figure 1. XRF spectrum of Barite campact powder sample (left); XRD image of Mn-Ka for 2-theta angle 30~50 degree
(middle) and XRD spectrum with calculated resolution for each diffraction bands from selected CCD area x-axis: 300-350
pixels (full width is 0-610 piexels), y-axis:0-602 pixels (right). Details are in the text in the graph.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF SURFACE STUDY BY MARSIS J. Mouginot1, W. Kofman1, A.

Safaenieli2, J. Plaut2, G. Picardi3. 1Laboratoire de Planétologie de Grenoble, CNRS/UJF 38041 Grenoble Cedex,
2
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109. 3Infocom Departement,
“La Sapienza” University of Rome. [email protected]

Introduction: For two years, the Mars Advanced parameters that controls surface reflectivity are:
Radar for Surface and Ionosphere Sounding material composition (dielectric constant), surface
(MARSIS) on board Mars Express is collected data roughness, local slope, [3] and ionospheric
[1]. This large survey provides an opportunity to absorption.
study the surface reflectivity of the Mars planet.
We describe here preliminary results for the First of all, it’s appears that the surface
surface study. In the first section, we present our reflectivity seen by MARSIS has a strong
method to extract from the radar signal, the power dependence on the solar zenith angle. In order to see
reflected by the surface. In the following one, we this SZA dependence, we must to separate all
show the different phenomena that control surface surface geometry or roughness effects that affect the
reflectivity. We discuss the method to correct signal. So we have selected a very flat area in the
ionospheric absorption. south polar layered deposits (latitude -81°,-85°;
Surface detection: After the correction for longitude 180, 210). For this flat area, we have plot
ionospheric effects (phase shift correction)[2], we in figure 2 surface reflectivity as function of solar
can start to calibrate MARSIS echoes and study the zenith angles.
first echo reflectivity, which corresponds to the
surface echo.
First we present our method to extract the surface
echo from each frame. In all of our correction, we
use MOLA topography as reference. So we can
easily select the surface echo in the signal as it
correspond to MOLA altitudes (see Figure 1).

Figure 2. Surface reflectivity seen by MARSIS in region

at latitude [-81, -85] and longitude [180, 210] as function
of the solar zenith angles.

As we can see on the figure 2, the reflectivity

can be 15 dB smaller during the day (for small SZA)
than during the night (large SZA > 100).
This absorption is due to a well known effect of
ionospheric absorption [4][5] .
We present here our method to compensate this
effect. We use the region as reference and apply this
compensation on all data.
Figure 1. Surface echo detection example. Upper figure Finally we show a preliminary surface
is, MARSIS radargram of the orbit 2682 and at the bottom reflectivity map. We discuss the reflectivity in terms
the position of surface echo selected by our routines is of material composition (dielectric constant),
shown.
surface roughness, local slope and material density.
Ionospheric absorption: The final aim of this
References: [1] Picardi G. et al. Science, 2005, 310,
work is to estimate the dielectric constant of martian 1925-1928. [2] Mouginot J. et al. PSS submitted [3] Ulaby
surface at MARSIS frequency. As MARSIS F.T. et al. Artech House Publishers 1982. [4] Nielsen, E.
wavelength is around 100 m, the dielectric constant et al. PSS , 2007, 55, 864-870. [5] Safaeinili, A. et al. PSS,
corresponds to 100 m depth materials column. 2003, 51, 505-515.
Unfortunately dielectric is not only parameter
that controls surface reflectivity. In fact, the
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

PRESERVATION OF ANCIENT ICE IN TROPICAL MOUNTAIN GLACIER DEPOSITS ON MARS:

James W. Head1 and David R. Marchant2. 1Dept. Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
USA. 2Dept. Earth Sciences, Boston University, Boston MA 02215 USA. ([email protected])

Introduction: Analysis of extensive fan-shaped deposits greatest, producing thick arcuate lobes. Similar arcuate lobe
on the NW flanks of the equatorial Tharsis Montes (Fig. 1) configurations are seen at Arsia and Pavonis (Fig. 1).
with new data provide compelling evidence that they repre- Could these lobes, morphologically and environmentally
sent the remnants of tropical mountain glaciers (TMG) dat- similar to those seen on Earth, still contain remnant glacial
ing from the Late Amazonian [1-2]. The distinct geomor- ice from the Late Amazonian glaciation many tens of mil-
phology of the deposits, together with updated terrestrial lions of years ago? Analysis of high-resolution image and
analogs for glaciation under martian hyper-arid, extremely topography data reveal the presence of several crater-like
cold conditions [3], show that the tropical mountain glaciers depressions in the smooth facies at Pavonis and Arsia. These
were cold-based. Global climate models show that when feature are shallower than fresh impact craters of similar
obliquity reaches 45 degrees, water-rich polar air ascends the diameters and show significant evidence of having under-
flanks of Tharsis, encounters the NW flanks of the Tharsis gone viscous relaxation. They have several zones: An inner
volcanoes, undergoes upwelling and adiabatic cooling, pre- hummocky, but often oyster-shell like floor with outward-
cipitating snow on the northwest flanks [4]. Models of ac- facing scarps; an intermediate zone beyond the apparent
cumulation and glacial flow show that this scenario can pro- crater rim of concentric ridges and troughs, a narrow zone of
duce tropical mountain glaciers [5]. closely-spaced fractures, and an outer zone of hummocks
On Earth, when glaciers retreat, ablation can result in an oriented along the regional trend of the lobe, sometimes with
increase of debris on top of the glacier (sublimation till); this superposed secondary craters.
deposit can significantly decrease the sublimation rate and In summary, TMG deposits on Mars record ancient cli-
protect the buried ice from further loss of ice, preserving it mates when planetary spin-axis obliquity was in excess of
for long periods [6]; in the Antarctic Dry Valleys, ice buried 45°, and polar volatiles were mobilized and transferred equa-
below sublimation till may be as old as 8 million years [7]. torward. We interpret the set of unusual impact craters su-
Is there any evidence of similar remnant ice in the tropical perposed on these deposits to indicate that the impact pene-
mountain glaciers on Mars? trated a veneer of sublimation till and excavated buried rem-
Description and interpretation: Arsia and Pavonis TMG nant glacial ice, subsequently undergoing viscous relaxation.
deposits (Fig. 1) consist of three basic facies, ridged, knobby Remaining deposits may be hundreds of meters thick. The
and smooth [1-2]. The proximal smooth facies consists of deposits are Late Amazonian in age and the remnant ice may
lobate, relatively smooth-textured deposits interpreted as the preserve records of ancient atmospheric gas content and
remnants of individual cold-based glacial lobes (alpine-like microbiota, as is seen in terrestrial glacial ice [8].
glaciers), emplaced in the waning stages of glaciation. De- References: 1) Head and Marchant, Geology, 31, 641, 2003;
bris-covered cold-based glaciers build up a protective subli- 2) Shean et al., JGR, 110, 05001, 2005; 3) Marchant and
mation till derived from supraglacial and englacial debris. Head, Icarus, in press, 2007; 4) Forget, et al.. Science, 311,
As glacial conditions wane, ice is often preserved longest in 368, 2006; 5) Fastook et al., LPSC 37, 1794, 2006; 6) Kow-
the distal portions, where the insulating effect of the till is alewski et al., Ant. Sci., 18, 421, 2006; 7) Marchant et al.,
ISAES, 54, 2007; 8) Bidle et al., PNAS, 104, 13455, 2007.

Figure 1. Arsia (left) and Pavonis (right) Montes.

European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS OF POSSIBLE EXOMARS LANDING

SITES A. Kuti1, A. Kereszturi2,3. 1Eotvos Lorand University of Sciences Department of Astronomy, H-1518
Budapest, Pf. 32., Hungary, 2Collegium Budapest Institute for Advanced Study, 3Hungarian Astronomical
Association e-mail:[email protected]

Introduction: The aim of our work is to develop 45˚N), although a definite ascent can also be seen
a method, which is able to approach some towards the northern latitudes. The two distinct
macroscopic (in the free atmosphere) and curves on the top right panel illustrate the difference
microscopic (inside voids of near surface granular between daytime and night-time temperature values
materials) environmental parameters (pressure, at Ls 285˚. These temperature variations are most
temperature, vapor content, possibility of H2O significant in a ~10˚ interval around the equator, and
condensation etc.). Such parameters are useful in can be as high as 100 K on the very same latitude.
planning the work and observations of future Mid-summer temperatures in the studied southern
surface probes on Mars, especially ExoMars. In this regions are higher than northern area temperatures.
abstract only some analysis of TES based p/T Surface pressure values though are higher in the
conditions are summarized. northern winter, and do not drop below 4 mbars.
Surface temperature and pressure parameters of the
Working methods: In the analysis we have three potential landing sites are summarized in the
chosen three regions (Amazonis-, Isidis-, Chryse table.
Planitia) for the possible landing sites of ExoMars,
which show scientific interest and fit to the lon: 300E-330E lon: 195E-225E lon: 75E-105E
engineering constrains too, i.e. they are between 10S Ls=105- Ls=285- Ls=105- Ls=285- Ls=105- Ls=285-
107 286 107 286 107 286
45N latitude and height below 0 m level.
min T [K] 249.43 184.72 237.69 190.8 241.15 203.29
Temperature and pressure data were derived from
max T [K] 277.95 311.11 278.86 305.06 277.8 304.93
Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission day-
time min p
Spectrometer (TES) measurements [1], using [mbar] 3.82 4.32 4.44 4.65 3.09 3.19
“vanilla” software. Our search has been restricted max p
[mbar] 6.77 8.1 7.82 8.78 5.61 8.35
only to surface observations. We have retrieved data min T [K] - 109.71 - 147.58 - 141.51
for solar longitudes of 105˚-107˚ (northern
max T [K] - 209.85 - 207.74 - 216.33
hemisphere summer) and 285˚-286˚ (northern night-
time min p
hemisphere winter) in the three studied regions. [mbar] - 4.36 - 5.01 - 3.02
max p
Daytime and night-time data were taken around 2 [mbar] - 8.62 - 9.51 - 8.99
pm and 2 am, local true solar time. Table Representative p, T values for the possible
landing-sites
Results: example curves of the analysis are
visible below. Conclusion: The predicted and previously
observed p/T parameters are useful for the planning
of observations with GEP [2] and of cloud, aerosol
and water vapor content with Pancam [3] on
ExoMars, as well for detectors on other future
probes like the proposed MiniHUM on MSL too [4].
In the next step we are to implement water vapor
related parameters and estimate condensation
processes, including microphysical predictions
inside pore spaces.

References: [1] Christensen, P.R. et al. (2001) J. Geophys.

Res. 106, 23823-23872. PDS Geoscience Node [2] GEP-
ExoMars: a Geophysics and Environment Observatory on Mars.
J. Biele, S. Ulamec, T. Spohn, D. Mimoun, P. Lognonné, and the
Figure 1. Temperature (top) and pressure GEP team, Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII (2007) 1587.
(bottom) curves for one landing site in summer [3] Context for the ESA ExoMars Rover: the Panoramic Camera
(PanCam) Instrument Andrew D. Griffiths1, Andrew J. Coates,
(left) and winter (right) Ralf Jaumann, Harald Michaelis, Gerhard Paar, David Barnes,
Jean-Luc Josset and the PanCam team. [5] MiniHUM – a
As seen in Figure 1, there is a slight increase in miniaturized device to measure trace-humidity on Mars, D.
temperature values from south to north, which Möhlmann, First Landing Site Workshop for the 2009 Mars
Science Laboratory #45033 (Times New Roman, 9pt.) Smith, J.
corresponds well with expectations. Variations of and J. Doe (2002), JGR 107, DOI:10.1029/2001JE123456. [3]
surface pressure feature this area (300˚E-330˚E, 8˚S- Smith, J. et al. (2003), LPSC XXXV, Abs. #1234.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

PSA/PDS DELIVERY OF DIGITAL TERRAIN MODELS AND ORTHOIMAGES

DERIVED FROM HRSC DATA Th. Roatsch1, K.-D. Matz1, R. Jaumann1,2, G. Neukum2, D. Heather3.
1
Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin,
Germany. 2Remote Sensing of the Earth and Planets, Freie Universitaet Berlin. 3ESTEC, Noordwijk, The
Netherlands. [email protected]

The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) stereo images (Gwinner et al., this conference). The
onboard Mars Express has been operating DTM data from the first 6 months of the mission are
successfully in Martian orbit for more than 3.5 years to be delivered to the PSA and PDS by the end of
(4700 orbits). Images taken during this time period 2007 and will be made available on both archives as
became available to the public through the archives soon as they are validated. Further data will then be
at the Planetary Science Archive (PSA) at ESA and delivered on a regular basis to both the PSA
the Planetary Data System (PDS) at NASA. So far, (http://www.rssd.esa.int/PSA) and PDS (http://pds-
only radiometrically and geometrically calibrated geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/mars_express/).
data have been delivered. We now also began
delivery of high precision Digital Terrain Models
(DTMs) and orthoimages derived from the HRSC
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

PULSED REMOTE RAMAN SYSTEM FOR PLANETARY SURFACE EXPLORATION Fernando Rull.
Unidad Asociada UVA-CSIC al Centro de Astrobiología Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valladolid,
47007-Valladolid (Spain) [email protected]

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for fluorescence signals from the Raman spectra. Gated
minerals and organics analysis. Raman in mode is also very useful for daylight operation.
combination with LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown The remote Raman system is full computer
Spectroscopy) is now part of the Pasteur payload in controlled for laser pointing, sample focusing, laser
ExoMars mission1. shooting and spectra acquisition.
This combined spectrometer will perform spectral Results obtained in field operation in Rio Tinto
analysis in close-contact mode inside at outside of (Spain) and recently in AMASE 2007 expedition at
the rover. the Artic (Svalbard Islands) are presented and
Nevertheless for surface analysis in planetary discussed
missions with landers and rovers the possibility of
remote characterisation of materials show clear
advantages over the contact mode. These advantages
seem to be particularly important in the case of the
future sample return missions in which reliable
identification of the potential samples will surely
become a crucial task.
Remote Raman spectroscopy has demonstrated its
potential in several applications2,3 up to 217 mtrs!4.
The remote Raman system will be also useful for
detecting hydrocarbon plumes and gas hydrates on
planetary surfaces.
We report in this work the concept, principles of Figure 1. The remote Raman prototype deployed at
Rio Tinto (Spain)
design and results obtained in the field with a
remote Raman prototype working in the range 5 to
References: 1- Science Management Plan for ExoMars,
25 meters. EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, HUMAN
The system consists in a compact spectrograph SPACEFLIGHT, MICROGRAVITY AND
fibre-optic (FO) coupled with a telescope. The laser EXPLORATION PROGRAMME BOARD, Paris, 6
excitation is performed by a frequency-doubled March 2007. 2- Sharma S.K., Angel M.S., Ghosh M.,
Nd:YAG pulsed laser (20 Hz, 4ns, 532 nm, 35 Hubble H.W., and Lucey P.G. (2002). Applied
mJ/pulse) in coaxial geometry with the telescope. Spectroscopy, 56, 699-705. 3- Sharma S.K., Lucey P.G.,
The detection is made by a gated intensified charged Ghosh M., Hubble H.W., and Horton K.A. (2003).
Spectrochim. Acta A59, 2391-2407. 4- Chen T, Madey
couple device (ICCD) detector. Gated mode (in the
TJM, FRANK M. Price FM, Sharma SK and Lienert B.
range 20-80 ns) shows particular advantages over Applied Spectroscopy (2007) 61, 624-629.
the continuous (CW) mode of operation in reducing
the background signal and eliminating long-lived
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

QUANTIFYING PHOTOCHEMICAL CATALYTIC CYCLES NEAR THE MARTIAN

ATMOSPHERIC SURFACE J. L. Grenfell1, R. Lehmann2, H. Rauer.1,3 1 Institut für Planetenforschung,
Extrasolare Planeten und Atmosphären, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Rutherford Str. 2,
12489 Berlin, Germany. 2Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473
3
Potsdam, Germany. Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik,
Technische Universität Berlin (TUB), Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany. [email protected].

We have applied a unique tool to the Martian

atmosphere which automatically identifies and
quantifies the photochemical catalytic cycles. This
tool is called the pathway analysis program (PAP)
and was originally developed for use in the Earth’s
atmosphere. We have applied PAP to determine the
cycles affecting carbon monoxide (CO) as well as
species associated with habitability i.e. ozone (O3),
nitrous oxide (N2O) and water (H2O) on Mars.
Results could reproduce some of the established
Martian cycles e.g. for CO which already appear in
the literature but we have also identified additional
cycles which, to our knowledge are new. Numerous
cycles appear to be rather complex mixes
consisting of many steps, catalysed by hydrogen
oxides, nitrogen oxides and oxygen species. Such
complexity seems to justify applying a tool such as
PAP which automates the analysis procedure and
removes subjective identification of cycles.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

RADIATIVE TRANSFER SIMULATIONS FOR SPEX: AN IN-ORBIT SPECTROMETER

C. Aas1,2, D. M. Stam1,2, E. Laan3
1
Aerospace Engineering, TU Delft, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS Delft, the Netherlands
2
Space Research Organization Netherlands (SRON), Sorbonnelaan 2, 3584 CA Utrecht, the Netherlands
3
Dutchspace, PO Box 32070, 2303 DB Leiden, the Netherlands.
[email protected]

Abstract properties of the atmospheric particles, their spatial

We present numerical simulations of the flux and distribution, the optical properties of the surface,
the state of polarization of light reflected by Mars, and the wavelength (see Hovenier et al. [2004] for
illustrating the observing strategy of the theory). The degree of polarization has been shown
Spectropolarimeter for Planetary EXploration to be more sensitive to particle microphysics (size,
(SPEX). For our calculations we use realistic, non- shape, and composition) than the flux, and its
spherical, Martian-analog dust particles, a range of angular dependence is less sensitive to multiple
dust optical thicknesses. Our results show the scattering than that of the flux (e.g. Hansen and
strength of polarimetry for the characterization of Travis, 1974). The Spectropolarimeter for Planetary
optical properties of Martian dust particles, both on EXploration (SPEX) is being developed for
the surface and in the atmosphere. polarimetry of Martian dust and cloud particles (see
the contribution by Laan et al.) and is foreseen to be
Section 1: Martian dust particles placed on an orbiter.
Despite the detailed observations of Mars obtained
during the last years, little is known about the Section 3: SPEX simulations
microphysical properties (size, shape, composition) We use advanced radiative transfer algorithms (de
of the dust particles on the Martian surface and in Haan et al, 1987), taking into account realistic
the atmosphere. Because microphysical properties irregular Martian analogue palagonite dust particles,
determine how particles scatter, absorb, and emit to simulate the flux and state of polarization of light
radiation, knowledge of these properties and their reflected by the Martian atmosphere and surface, as
spatial and temporal distribution is crucial for it will be observed by SPEX, across the wavelength
understanding the dust particles’ role in Mars’ region of 0.35 to 0.8 microns. Our simulations, for a
radiation balance and hence in its weather and range of dust optical thicknesses and illumination
climate, including the development of dust devils and viewing geometries, clearly show the added
and dust storms. Dust also influences the chemical value of polarimetry for the retrieval of dust
balance in the Martian atmosphere, e.g. reactions particles.
involving methane (Farrell et al., 2006), and
transports condensates. References:
Banin, Han, Kan, Cicelsky (1997), J.Geophys. Res. 102,
Section 2: Spectropolarimetry 13341-13356, 1997.
De Haan, Bosma, Hovenier (1987), Astron. Astrophys.
Unpolarized light, such as incident sunlight, that is
183, 371-391.
scattered by particles in a planetary atmosphere or Farrell, Delory, Atreya (2006), Geophys. Res. Lett. 33,
that is reflected by the underlying surface will CiteID L21203.
generally get polarized. The degree of polarization Foster, et al., (1998), JGR 103, 25839-25850.
of the light that emerges from the top or bottom of Hansen and Travis (1974), Space Sci. Rev., 16, 527-610,
the planetary atmosphere, depends, like the flux, on doi:10.1007/BF00168069.
the illumination and viewing geometries, the optical Hovenier, van der Mee, Domke (2004), Kluwer,
Dordrecht (Springer, Berlin), 2004.

Figure 1. Images of non-spherical particles. The white bars indicate the scale. Left: Martian analogue palagonite particles
(sample 91-16 described by Banin et al. [1997], provided by T. Roush). The length of the bar (at the bottom) is 10 μm.
Right: CO2 ice crystals (bi-pyramids) made in a laboratory [Foster et al., 1998]. The length of the bar (at the left) is 3.0 μm.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

RAMAN SPECTRAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A TERRESTRIAL SCENARIO WITH

IMPLICATIONS FOR MARS EXPLORATION: RIO TINTO, SPAIN. P. Sobron1, A. Sanz1, J. Medina1, F.
Sobron1, F. Rull1 and C. J. Nielsen2. 1Unidad Asociada Universidad de Valladolid-Centro de Astrobiología
(CAB-CSIC). Cristalografía y Mineralogía. Facultad de Ciencias. Paseo Prado de la Magdalena s/n. 47011
Valladolid, Spain. 2 Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Blindern, N-0372 Oslo, Norway.
[email protected]

Sulfate minerals may be the best means of collected in the site is plotted in Figure 2. A
identifying potentially habitable sites on Mars and database match-search process is used in order to
thus studying them in terrestrial analog sites is of identify the nature of the sample.
critical importance to Astrobiology. Rio Tinto
(Huelva, Spain) is an example of an acidic, iron-rich 12000

soil drainage site formed through mining. Sulfates 11500

are also abundant on the surface of Mars. How they 11000

10500
formed is unknown, but they are thought to be

Intensity/a.u.
10000
associated with aqueous processes. Terrestrial 9500
studies of sulfate-rich sites are essential in order to 9000
characterize the processes by which sulfates occur 8500

on Earth and further to determine constraints on the 8000

Martian mineralogy and surface processes. The Rio 7500

7000
Tinto environment is widely recognized as such an 300 500 700 900 1100 1300 1500 1700

analog site for potential sulfate-forming processes Raman shift/cm-1

on Mars. Figure 1. Raman spectrum of an aqueous sample of Rio

Tinto. Sulfate bands can be identified at 450, 625, 982 and
Vibrational spectroscopy techniques such as 1105 cm-1. The band at 1650 cm-1 is characteristic of
Raman and Infrared -which require little or no water molecules bending vibration.
sample preparation prior to spectra collection- are of
great importance for potential field analysis of 16000

sulfate-rich sites. Both techniques have been 14000

successfully applied to the analysis of synthetic 12000

solutions that mimic the concentration of molecular 10000

Intensity/a.u.

species in acid sulfate waters [1-3]. Jarosites, sulfate 8000

minerals and efflorescent salts, both synthetic and 6000

natural, have also been analyzed by using 4000
spectroscopic techniques [4, 5].
2000

0
In this work we report the X-ray diffraction and 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300

Raman spectroscopy of aqueous solutions and Raman shift/cm-1

associated precipitates of Rio Tinto. Particularly, Figure 2. Raman spectrum of an efflorescent salt of Rio
Raman spectroscopy is a noninvasive and Tinto, unambiguously identified as coquimbite
nondestructive technique and both aqueous and [Fe2(SO4)3·(H2O)9]
solid samples can be readily analyzed without any
preparation. Besides, the Raman spectrometer is an
instrument that can be used for identification of This is a first step in the development of
biogenic and a-biogenic materials, different types of instrumental and analytical tools for the analysis of
ices, organic, and inorganic materials on planetary Rio Tinto area with the objective of understanding
surfaces. This is probably one of the reasons why links between sulfate minerals and their
the compact Raman/LIBS instrument is regarded as environment.
the highest priority instrument for mineral analysis
within the ExoMars mission roadmap.
References: [1] Majzlan, J. and Myneni, S.C.B. (2005),
Figure 1 show the Raman spectra of an aqueous Environ. Sci. Technol. 39, 188-194. [2] Sobron, P. et al.
(2007), J. Raman Spectrosc., 38, 1127–1132. [3] Sobron,
sample collected in Rio Tinto area. The species in
P. et al. (2007), Spectrochim. Acta A,
solution are readily identified through band-fitting DOI:10.1016/j.saa.2007.06.044. [4] Chio, C.H. et al.
of the Raman spectra. Sulfate and bisulfate ions (2005) Spectrochim. Acta A, 61, 2428-2433. [5] Frost.
concentration can be accurately computed. The R.L. et al. (2005) Spectrochim. Acta A, 62, 176-180
Raman spectrum of an efflorescent salt also
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

RESULTS FROM THE 7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MARS C. J. Budney1, D. Beaty1, M.

A. Meyer2, R. W. Zurek1 and the attendees of the 7th International Conference on Mars. 1 Mars Exploration
Program, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA
91109, USA. 2 Mars Exploration Program, Planetary Science Division, Space Science Directorate, National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546-0001, USA. [email protected]

The 7th International Conference on Mars, held The Martian climate and atmosphere:
July 9-13, 2007 in Pasadena, California, was variations in time and space
organized into nine theme-oriented oral sessions Recent evidence shows that the Mars lower and
(listed below). Each of the oral sessions was upper atmospheres are coupled thermally,
configured with a set of papers of relevance to the dynamically, and chemically. GCM modeling
theme of the session, along with some introductory frameworks are evolving to properly capture the
comments by the session chairs to frame the session, “whole atmosphere” coupling processes that are
and a concluding discussion session that was required to explain these observed variations in the
moderated by the session chairs. The following Martian upper atmosphere.
master discussion prompts were used for each of the Modern Mars: Weather, atmospheric
concluding discussion sessions: chemistry, geologic processes, and water cycle
• What do we know? It is apparent that the martian dust cycle is highly
• What do we need to learn next? variable. Recent observations of the water vapor
• Are we doing the right things to find the content of the martian atmosphere suggest it may be
answers? drier than previously assumed. Trace gases remain a
For each of the nine discussion sessions, the significant outstanding question.
comments from the audience were documented and The north and south polar layered-deposits,
the session chairs pulled together summaries. We circumpolar regions, and changes with time
present the results of those exchanges. As the planet’s principal cold traps, the Martian
Technical Sessions and Key Findings polar regions have accumulated extensive mantles
The distribution and context of water-related of ice and dust that cover individual areas >106 km2
minerals on Mars and total as much as 3–4 km thick. From the small
The key hypothesis framing the session was that number of superposed craters found on their surface,
phyllosilicates were dominantly formed during these layered deposits are thought to be
Mars’ earliest period (Noachian), followed by comparatively young. Radar sounding investigations
sulfates in the late Noachian to Hesperian. There has have provided a first look at the basal topography
been little evidence for formation of water-related and internal layered structure of both caps.
minerals since the Hesperian. This is despite the Mars astrobiology and upcoming Missions
abundance of morphologic features thought to be There is now strong evidence that habitable
water related (e.g. young valley networks and environments might have existed on Mars at least
outflow channels, gullies, volcano-ice interactions, intermittently in the distant past.
and ice-related features). The Phoenix mission and the MSL site selection
Geology of the martian surface: Lithologic process were discussed. Needed for future missions
variation, composition, and structure are information for site selection, access to more
We now know that the crust of Mars is sites, and capable in situ science instruments to
dominated by basaltic volcanism, and that aqueous identify the best samples.
alteration (chemical weathering) occurred early in Martian stratigraphy and sedimentology:
Mars history but weathering in more recent times Reading the sedimentary record
has been mostly physical. The recent explosion of high-resolution data both
Water through Mars’s geologic history from orbit and from the ground allows probing the
The history of water on Mars appears to span, third dimension of martian crust, thereby permitting
literally, the whole of geologic history. It pervades the stratigraphic architecture of sedimentary
the magmas, has formed evaporates and clastic deposits to be better constrained and interpreted.
sediments as well as nearly pure salt and silica Recent results include evidence of eolian
concentrations, yet has only slightly reacted with the crossbedding at Victoria crater and suggestions for a
widespread contemporaneous fine-grained soils. volcaniclastic origin of sediments at Home Plate.
Volatiles and interior evolution
References: Beaty, D.W., Budney, C.J., and McCleese,
Several models now exist for early accretion and D.J. (2007). Session Summaries, 7th International
differentiation, production and longevity of a core Conference on Mars, July 9-13, 2007. Unpublished white
dynamo, production of basaltic crust, and paper, 22 p, posted August 2007 by the Mars Exploration
partitioning of initial and secondary volatile Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) at
contents into the atmosphere (with their effects on http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/index.html.
climate) and loss to space.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THE RHEOLOGY OF YOUNG LAVA FLOWS ON ARSIA, PAVONIS AND ASCRAEUS MONS,
MARS H. Hiesinger1, D. Reiss1, S. Dude1, C. Ohm1, G. Neukum2. 1Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische
Wilhelms-Universität, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany. 2Freie Universität Berlin,
Malteserstr. 74-100, 12249 Berlin. [email protected]

Introduction: The Tharsis Montes, Arsia Mons, h = (Q / g)1/4 (7)

Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons, are large Jeffrey's equation also relates the viscosity of a
volcanic constructs that are located on the Tharsis flow to its effusion rate and its dimensions [e.g., 9-
bulge and are the locations of some of the youngest 11].
volcanic deposits on Mars [1,2]. From previous
studies it is known that in principle, the dimensions  = ( g h3 w sin
)/nQ (8)
of flows reflect rheological properties such as yield In this equation n is a constant equal to 3 for
strength, effusion rates and viscosity. We expand on broad flows and 4 for narrow flows.
our previous study of the rheological properties of Results: Our estimates of the yield strengths for
lava flows on Ascraeus Mons [3] in order to flows on Ascraeus Mons range from ~2.0 x 102 Pa
investigate possible similarities and differences to ~1.3 x 105 Pa, with an average of ~2.1 x 104 Pa.
between lava flows on the the Tharsis Montes. These values are in good agreement with estimates
Data: We used new high-resolution images for terrestrial basaltic lava flows. The effusion rates
obtained by the High Resolution Stereo Camera are on average ~185 m3s-1, ranging from ~23 m3 s-1
(HRSC) on board ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft in to ~404 m3 s-1. While these results are higher than
combination with Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter earlier findings that indicate effusion rates of 18-60
(MOLA) data to constrain these rheological m3 s-1, with an average of 35 m3 s-1, they are similar
properties. We made use of several HRSC orbits to terrestrial effusion rates of Kilauea and Mauna
with spatial resolutions of about 10-20 m/pixel in Loa and other Martian volcanoes. Viscosities were
order to measure the length and width of the studied estimated to be on average ~4.1 x 106 Pa-s, ranging
lava flows. Individual MOLA profiles were used to from ~1.8 x 104 Pa-s to ~4.2 x 107 Pa-s. On the basis
determine the height of the lava flows and gridded of our effusion rates and the flow dimensions, we
MOLA topography was used to measure the slope calculated that the time necessary to emplace the
on which these flows occur. Compared to earlier flows is on average ~26 days.
studies, HRSC and MOLA data allowed us to map a Conclusions: On the basis of our investigation
larger number of late-stage lava flows and to we find our results for the yield strength, effusion
measure their dimensions, as well as their rate, eruption duration, and viscosity to be in good
morphological characteristics in greater detail. agreement with previously published results for
Method: We modeled the investigated lava Martian and terrestrial flows. The strength of our
flows as a Bingham plastic controlled by two study is that we investigated a much larger number
parameters, the yield strength and the plastic of flows than in previous studies [e.g., 5,6,8,12-14]
viscosity [e.g., 4]. The yield strength  of lava flows and therefore provides a more complete foundation
(Pa) is related to the flow dimensions by the of our understanding of Martian lava rheologies. In
following equations [e.g., 5] a next step, we plan to put our results into a
 =  g sin
h (1) temporal context in order to study whether the
 =  g h2/w (2) rheology of the Tharsis Montes lava flows
systematically varied with time.
 =  g sin2
2wl (3)
References: [1] Scott and Tanaka, I-1802-A, 1986;
 =  g sin2
(w-wc) (4) [2] Neukum et al., Nature, 432, 971-979, 2004; [3]
where  is the density (kg m-3), g is the Hiesinger, et al., J. Geophys. Res., 112,
gravitational acceleration (m s-2),
is the slope 10.1029/2006JE002717, 2007; [4] Wilson and Head,
Nature, 302, 663-669, 1983; [5] Moore et al., Proc.
angle (degree), h is the flow height (m), w is the
Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf., 9, 3351-3378, 1978; [6]
flow width (m), wl is the total levee width (m), and Zimbelman, Proc. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf., 16, 157-162,
wc is defined as the width of a leveed channel (m). 1985; [7] Fink and Griffiths, J. Fluid Mech., 221, 485-
The effusion rates Q (m3/s) can then be 500, 1990; [8] Warner and Gregg, J. Geophys. Res., 108,
calculated as doi:10.1029/2002JE001969, 2003; [9] Nichols, J. of
Q = G z  x w/h (5) Geology, 47, 290-302, 1939; [10] Gregg and Fink, J.
Geophys. Res., 101, 16891-16900, 1996; [11] Gregg and
where Gz is the dimensionless Graetz number,  Zimbelman, Env. Effects on Volcanic Eruptions: From
is the thermal diffusivity (m2 s-1), x is the flow Deep Oceans to Deep Space, (Zimbelman, Gregg, eds.)
length (m), and w and h are defined as above [e.g., Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 75-
4; 6]. 112, 2000; [12] Keszthelyi, J. Geophys. Res., 100, 20411-
The viscosities  (Pa-s) were calculated using 20420, 1995; [13] Sakimoto et al., J. Geophys. Res., 102,
6597-6613, 1997; [14] Cattermole, Proc. Lunar Planet.
the relationship given for example by [7,8]. Sci. Conf., 17, 553-560, 1987.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

RIFTING ON MARS: STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS P. Kronberg1, E. Hauber2,

M. Grott2, J.-M. Ilger1. 1Institut für Geologie, TU Clausthal, Leibnizstr. 10, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld,
Germany. 2Institut für Planetenforschung, DLR, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany. peter.kronberg@tu-
clausthal.de

Introduction: Rift-like extensional features on stresses associated with horizontal gradients of the
Mars have been identified on the basis of Mariner 9 gravitational potential energy [9] might account for
and Viking Orbiter images [e.g., 1-3], but little passive rifting [10]. We will present a synthesis of
detailed work has been done before accurate our work on Martian rifts, and will present the
topographic data were obtained by the MOLA laser results for the first time in the context of all
altimeter. Over the last years, we have investigated observed rifts.
several rift-like structures (Fig. 1) with respect to
their topography and structural geology and found References: [1] Masson, P. (1980) Moon & Planet. 22,
that they can directly be compared to terrestrial 211-219. [2] Tanaka, K. et al. (1991) JGR 96, 15,617-
analoga like the Kenya Rift [4-7]. 15,633. [3] Banerdt, B. et al. (1992) Mars, by H. Kieffer
et al. (Eds.), pp. 249-297, Uni. Ariz. Press. [4] Hauber, E.
and Kronberg, P. (2001) JGR 106, 20,587-20602.
[5] Hauber, E. and Kronberg, P. (2005) JGR 110,
DOI:10.1029/2005JE002407. [6] Grott, M. et al. (2005)
GRL 32, DOI:10.1029/2005GL023894. [7] Kronberg, P.
et al. (2007) JGR 112, DOI: 10.1029/2006JE002780.
[8] Dimitrova, L. et al. (2006) GRL 33, DOI :
10.1029/2005GL025307. [9] Grott, M. et al. (2007) JGR
112, DOI: 10.1029/2006JE002800.

Figure 1. A comparison of several rift-like structural

features on Mars. Clockwise from top left: Tempe Fossae
Rift [4], Thaumasia Double Rift [6], unnamed rifts in
western Tempe Terra (“X”-Rift in Fig. 2), Acheron
Fossae Rift [7].

Summary and Discussion: Crater counts

revealed that at least two of the rifts formed in Late
Noachian- to Early Hesperian time. Using
measurements of rift flank uplift, we determined the
thickness of the elastic lithosphere at that time to be
in the order of ~10-15 km. The corresponding heat
flux would range between ~55 and 80 mW m-2. In Figure 2. Rifts (red) and other major extensional features
contrast to most of the long and narrow linear in Tharsis. Note that the orientation of some rifts (e.g., the
graben sets (e.g., Mareotis, Memnonia, and Icaria Thaumasia Double Rift [6] or Acheron Fossae [7]) is not
Fossae; Fig. 2), which dominate the tectonics of consistently radial to Tharsis. The stereographic
Tharsis and, indeed, almost the entire western projection is centered near Pavonis Mons to highlight
hemisphere of Mars, the rifts are not consistently Tharsis-centered axial symmetries (large volcanic edifices
oriented radial to Tharsis center(s). It seems possible marked by grey circles, Valles Marineris and the large
Thaumasia graben also marked as grey areas).
that plume tectonics might not be the only plausible
scenario that could account for rift formation on
Mars. The combination of regional stresses, local
magmatism, and high elevations that generate
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SCALLOPED TERRAIN SOUTH OF THE HELLAS BASIN: RESULTS FROM HRSC, MOC AND
MOLA. M. Zanetti1, H. Hiesinger1, D. Reiss1, E. Hauber2, G. Neukum3. 1Institute für Planetologie, Westfälische
Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany. 2Institute of Planetary
Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany. 3Freie Universität
Berlin, Maltesertr. 74-100, 12249 Berlin. [email protected]

Introduction: We performed an investigation of images centered at ~55°S latitude to locate scallop

proposed sublimation landforms in the Amphitrites features as a follow-up investigation to that done by
and Peneus Paterae region of Malea Planum, on the Milliken [2] using MOC images. This was done to
southern rim of the Hellas Basin. A latitude identify any longitudinal dependence in the
dependent, several meters thick, surface mantle distribution of scallops or effects of different
presumably composed of dust and water ice is found geologic units or topography. Our survey revealed
throughout this region, and is thought to be related that scallops are found almost exclusively in the
to obliquity-driven ice activity as recently as 2.1-0.4 area along the southern slope of the Hellas Basin
Myr [1]. Scallop-shaped asymmetrical depressions (30°E - 110°E), with a few isolated scallops
(Fig. 1), a type of dissected mantle terrain described occurring in the southern latitudes near Argyre
by [2], have formed in this mantle deposit, and have Basin (300°E - 335°E), hence pointing toward a
been mapped in detail in order to characterize these strong effect of basin morphology on scallop
unique features. Milliken [2] and Plescia [3] have formation.
proposed that they were formed by interstitial ice Conclusions: The presence of the studied
sublimating from the mantle material. Scallops are scallops in the southern hemisphere appears to be
also found in northern latitudes, in Utopia Planitia closely linked to the Hellas Basin. We interpret the
[4,5]. Morgenstern et al. [4] propose an insolation- results of our observations as evidence of the
driven model of scallop formation in Utopia. We influence of the Hellas Basin on the development of
studied these features in an area that extends from scalloped depressions. We propose that weather
50°E to 70°E longitude and 50°S to 70°S latitude in conditions, solar radiation insolation, subsurface
order to determine the recent geologic history of the water-ice availability and seasonal variation in
region and to study if the regional climate of the temperature have allowed scallops to degrade the
Hellas basin has had an impact on the formation of mantle in this region.
these scallops.
Data and Methods: We used high-resolution
images obtained by the High Resolution Stereo
Camera (HRSC) on board ESA’s Mars Express
spacecraft in combination with Mars Orbiter
Camera-Narrow Angle (MOC-NA) and THEMIS-
VIS data to map scalloped depressions in the study
area. Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data
were used to obtain depths of individual scallops.
Results: The study area is extensively scalloped
through the entire longitude range of 50°E-70°E, but
only between 52°S and 59°S latitude. Here the
mantle appears smooth with very few small craters.
The area with scallops contours the slope of the
southern rim of the Hellas Basin, as they grade from
small isolated scallops in the northern latitudes and
lower elevations to large coalesced bands in the
higher regions of the Hellas rim and on the caldera
rims of Amphitrites and Peneus paterae. The
scallops abruptly terminate near 59°S after a small
(~1°) transition zone from a thick smooth top-most
mantling layer, to a degraded lower level of Figure 1. Scallop features in mantle material. Scallops
mantling material. Scallops that are large enough to appear to coalesce as they grow larger. HRSC image
be measured with MOLA data show a strong slope h2448 (centered at -57.60 lat, 65.60 long).
asymmetry, with steeper south-facing slopes and
gentler north-facing slopes. This shape can also be References: [1] Head et al. (2003), Nature, 426, 797-802
[2] Milliken, R.E. and Mustard J.F. (2003), Sixth
inferred for smaller scallops from imaging data.
International Conference on Mars, Abs. #3240.
Depths vary with the area of the depression but [3] Plescia J.B (2003) LPSC XXXIV, Abs. #1478.
typically do not exceed 30 m. We performed a [4] Morgenstern et al. (2007) JGR 112, E6. [5] Lefort et
systematic southern hemisphere survey of HRSC al. (2007), LPSC XXXVIII Abs. #1796.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SEARCH FOR CARBONATES ON MARS WITH THE OMEGA / MARS EXPRESS DATA. D. Jouglet,
F. Poulet, J. P. Bibring, Y. Langevin, B. Gondet. Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay,
France. Contact : [email protected]

Introduction: Key minerals for the study of the exhibit a small 3.4
m feature and a geographical
past of Mars, such as phyllosilicates, sulfates or clustering but other important carbonate features
hydroxides, have been discovered by the Mars are missing. An example is given in figure 2.
Express / OMEGA experiment [e.g. 1,2]. This Future work: In the future the threshold for the
abstract focuses on the search for carbonates from 3.4
m band depth detection will be adapted to the
the OMEGA dataset. Previous orbital missions, signal to noise ratio. The 3.9
m band depth will be
like IRS [3] or TES [4], failed in finding large also recorded as additional information for
amounts of carbonates on the surface of Mars. carbonate detection.
The presence or the lack of carbonates on the
Martian surface is very important to 1) better
understand the climatic and geological past of the
planet, since carbonates easily form in aqueous
media [e.g. 5]; 2) get new elements about the
evolution of a primitive thicker CO2 atmosphere,
since dissolved carbon dioxide precipitates in
carbonate minerals [e.g. 6].
Detection tool: This study is based on the Figure 1. Application of the 3.4
m carbonate detection
detection of the strong 3.4
m and 3.9
m tool on a laboratory spectrum obtained during the ground
absorption bands present in carbonate reflectance calibration of OMEGA. The blue dashed lines borders
spectra [7]. Since the 3.9
m area is subject to the areas used for polynomial fitting, the yellow dashed
thermal contrast reduction [8] and to atmospheric lines the area used for band depth calculation once the
absorptions influence, the detection focuses on the continuum is removed. In this example the Band Depth is
3.4
m band depth. This band is inside a broad 3 2.6%. Black: radiance spectrum of a 80% palagonite / 20

m hydration band [9] and therefore requires a % calcite mixture divided by a reference radiance
spectrum (MgO). Red: polynomial interpolation to
continuum removal, as illustrated by figure 1 [7].
simulate the spectrum continuum at 3.4
m.
Application on the OMEGA dataset: This
method is tested first on old terrains where clays
and sulfates were detected: Mawrth Vallis [2],
Terra Meridiani [10] or Nili Fossae [11]. These
areas reveal no spectral features of carbonates.
Then the detection tool is applied on every
OMEGA spectra, through an automatic and quick
program. Spectra are recorded if their 3.4
m band
depth is greater than 1%. Since water ice may
influence the 3.4
m spectral area, spectra
exhibiting water ice features (a characteristic 1.5

m absorption band) are removed from the study Figure 2. Black curve: OMEGA reflectance spectrum at
[12]. Spectra with low signal to noise ratio are also 132.04E, 66.75N (orbit 1059), red curve: spectrum
excluded through the value of the flux received by continuum, green curve: laboratory carbonate spectrum
OMEGA. In order to avoid isolated spurious pixels, of fig.1. This pixel was recorded by the carbonate
detections are recorded only if at least one other detection tool. Visual diagnosis reveals spatial clustering
detection is done in its neighborhood. This method in this area but no other carbonate spectral signature.
is described in [7].
140 million albedo spectra are tested by this tool References: [1] Bibring, J.-P. et al. (2005), Science 307,
1576-1581. [2] Poulet, F. et al. (2005), Nature 438, 623-
(orbit 0 to 1989), covering about 80% of the
627. [3] Roush, T. L. et al. (1986), JGR 102, 1663-1670.
Martian surface between 80°N and 80°S. A few [4] Stockstill, K. R. et al. (2005), JGR 110, DOI:
candidate spectra have been recorded and require a 10.1029/2004JE002353. [5] Morse, J. W. and G. M.
visual diagnosis based on the analysis of spectral Marion (1999), Am. Jour. of Sc. 299, 738-761. [6] Kahn,
signatures, spatial distribution and comparison with R. (1985), Icarus 62, 175-190. [7] Jouglet, D. et al.
other observations on the same area. This diagnosis (2007), 7th Mars Conf., Abs #3153. [8] Wagner, C. and
concludes that no obvious carbonate spectrum is U. Schade (1996), Icarus 123, 256-268. [9] Jouglet, D. et
present in the OMEGA dataset, suggesting al. (2007), JGR 112, DOI: 10.1029/2006JE002846.
carbonates are not widely spread on the surface of [10] Gendrin, A. et al. (2005), Science 307, 1587– 1591.
[11] Mangold, N. et al. (2007), JGR 112, in press.
Mars. A few areas are discussed because they
[12] Jouglet, D. et al. (2007), 7th Mars Conf., Abs #3157.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THE SEIS EXPERIMENT : A SEISMIC PACKAGE ON GEP/EXOMARS D. Mimoun1, D. Mance2, P.

Lognonne1, D. Giardini2, W. T. Pike3, Ulrich Christensen4, Arie van den Berg5, P. Schibler1 and the SEIS team
1
IPGP (4 avenue de Neptune, 94107 Saint-Maur cedex, France, [email protected] ), 2 ETH (Institute of
Geophysics CH-8093 Zurich), 3Imperial College (Exhibition Road, London SW7 2BT, England ), 4Max-
Planck-Institute for Solar System Research (Max-Planck-Strasse, 237191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany),
5
Institute of Earth Science (Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, NL

Scientific objectives: The SEIS Seismometer

will study the seismic activity of the Planet and
frequency of meteorites impacts. These seismic
events will be characterized by their approximate
distance and azimuth, as well by their magnitude.
The seismometer will also allow also to characterize
shallow and deep interior of the planet, and
especially the water environment as a function of
depth in the deep subsurface, the crustal
thickness of the landing site, the core size and
possibly, if the seismic activity is between the
middle and upper bound of present estimates, the Fig 2. Instrument architecture
mantle structure. The sensitivity and noise floor of Expected performances
the seismometers in the expected Martian Scientific requirements will be met with a sufficient
environment are such that the detection of about 20 signal to noise ratio by the instrument on
quakes with Ms magnitude from 4 to 5 and 10-20 - Long term signals : Mars modes
impacts per year are expected for a mean model of - In bandwidth signals: Marsquakes
seismic activity; our working hypothesis is based on - Short Period signals: Asteroid impacts
the thermoelastic cooling of the lithosphere, which For each kind of signal, noise ratio are met with a
does not consider any tectonic activity possibly sufficient margin. The VBB sensor performance (in
related to volcanoes. red below) is in principle equivalent to a terrestrial
field sensor (STS-2 type), which weights 13 kg. The
black curve presents the target SP noise.

Fig 1. The Seismometer Breadboard (IPGP/CNES/SODERN)

Instrument Configuration: The SEIS Fig. 3 SEIS noise (Red : VBB self noise Black SP target)
seismometer is based on an hybrid 4 axis References
instrument, composed of 2 Very broad Band (VBB) A1. Lognonné P. & B. Mosser, Planetary
sensors and 2 Short Period (SP) sensors and has a Seismology, 14, 239-302, Survey in Geophysic, 1993.
A2. Lognonné, P., J. Gagnepain-Beyneix, W.B.
mass of about 2200 gr, including all margins. It
Banerdt, S.Cacho, J.F. Karczewski, M. Morand, An Ultra-
includes also highly efficient (24 bits) acquisition Broad Band Seismometer on InterMarsnet, Planetary
electronics , a deployment system and a wind shield Space Sciences, 44, 1237-1249,1996.
to allow a deployment outside of he descent module A4. P. Lognonné, D. Giardini, B. Banerdt, J.
by the GEP/ExoMars arm. This design reflects a Gagnepain-Beyneix, A.Mocquet, T. Spohn, J.F.
significant mass reduction compared to design Karczewski, P. Schibler, S. Cacho, W.T. Pike,C. Cavoit,
studied by previous ESA projects (i.e. MarsNet and A. Desautez, J. Pinassaud, D. Breuer, M. Campillo, P.
InterMarsnet), while offering very little science Defraigne, V. Dehant, A. Deschamp, J. Hinderer, J.J.
return reduction as compared to a more classical 3 Lévéque, J.P. Montagner, J. Oberst, The NetLander Very
Broad band seismometer, Planet. Space Sc., 48,1289-
VBB +3 SP design.
1302, 2000.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

A Simple Scheme for Batch Processing Atmospheric Corrections of HRSC Colour Images O. J. Stenzel1 ,
N. Hoekzema , W. J. Markiewicz , H. U. Keller and the HRSC co-investigator team. 1 Max-Planck-Institut für
1 1 1

Sonnensystemforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 2, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany. [email protected]

The HRSC camera on board Mars Express has the Sun is low in the sky. The new scheme
delivered stunning images of Mars for over two and presented here is able to estimate the optical
a half years now, greatly enhancing the knowledge thickness independently of solar altitude for all level
about our neighbor planet. However, the study of 3 data. The new scheme has been used with IMP
the Martian surface from orbiter images is hampered dust (Markiewicz et al., 2002) correction routine
by the haziness of the atmosphere; it contains large MPAE_ATM_DUST to process over 750 colour
and variable amounts of aerosols that mainly consist images composed of the HRSC panchromatic nadir,
of airborne dust. One should carefully consider the p1 or p2, green and blue channels. Computation
effects of hazes when studying the Martian surface time is about three days on a two processor Intel
from orbiter images and for many analyses one type machine.
would like to remove their influence. Centerpiece of the new batch scheme is the radiative
Our group at the Max Planck Institute for Solar transfer model SHDOM (Evans, 1998). For each
System Research (MPS) is involved in the scene SHDOM is run iteratively for different values
atmospheric correction of HRSC images since the of optical thickness
until the albedo of the surface
beginning of the Mars Express mission. We have is within a prescribed range. The resulting
is used
delivered to the HRSC team a number of tools to for the further correction of the individual channels,
estimate the optical thickness of the atmosphere scaled appropriately for their absorbance at their
(stereo method, shadow method), and to correct for particular wave length. The obtained
is not very
the contribution of dust (MPAE_ATM_DUST), and accurate but good enough to improve a large number
dust with high altitude ice (MPAE_ATM_1D). of images and is at this point the only method to
These correction programs work properly for so estimate the optical thickness for scenes with a high
called ‘IMP aerosols’. The Martian atmosphere solar altitude. An example of a pair of uncorrected
however, also contains other types of aerosols, and and corrected images is shown in Figure 1.
their properties need to be implemented into the
correction routines to optimize the atmospheric References: Evans, K. F. (1998), Journal of the
correction. To test these in a large number of scenes Atmospheric Sciences 55. Hoekzema, N., et al. (2007),
with different meteorological situations, the optical 7 th international conference on Mars, Passadena.
thicknesses of these scenes need to be retrieved. Markiewicz, W. J., et al. (2002), Adv. Space Res. 29 (2).
Current batch processes (MPS_ATM_ST on the
above mentioned site) can do this for images where

Figure 1. Uncorrected and corrected near true colour images from HRSC. The images are composed from the nadir, green
and blue channels and converted to CIE RGB colours. The frames were taken on orbit h1266 0000. The center of the
images is at 64°N and 115°E. Optical thickness of IMP dust in this scene has been estimated to be
=1.9.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

Simultaneous Measurements of the Martian Plasma Environment from Rosetta and Mars Express. N. J.
T. Edberg1,2, A. I. Eriksson2, R. Modolo2, M. Lester1, S. W. H. Cowley1, H. Nilsson3, R. Lundin3, S. Barabash3,
A. Boesswetter4, U. Auster5, KH. Glassmeister5, I. Richter5. 1University of Leicester, University Road Leicester
LE1 7RH, UK. 2Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, Sweden. 3Swedish Institute of Space Physics,
Kiruna, Sweden. 4Institute for Theoretical Physics, TU Braunschweig, Germany. 5Institute for Geophysics and
Extraterrestrial Physics, TU Braunschweig, Germany. [email protected]

We present results from simultaneous measurements and thus enabled a two-spacecraft investigation of
of the Martian plasma environment by the Mars the plasma environment. For instance, the influence
Express and Rosetta spacecraft. In February 2007 of specific solar wind parameters on the Martian
Rosetta performed a swing-by of Mars as one of its plasma environment could be studied and compared
four gravity assist maneuvers on its way to the to simulations. The magnetic pileup boundary and
comet 67P Churyomov/Gerasimenko. The trajectory bow shock were detected almost simultaneously at
of Rosetta during the Mars swing-by made it two different locations around Mars by the two
possible to observe the solar wind parameters far spacecraft. The results are compared to previous
upstream of the planet before the actual swing-by. investigations based on measurements from the
During Rosetta’s approach and entire flyby Mars Mars Global Surveyor mission.
Express was in operation in its orbit around Mars
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

Simultaneous Photoelectron and Ion Measurements in the Martian Ionosphere. R. A. Frahm1, J. D.

Winningham1, J. R. Sharber1, R. Lundin2, H. Nilsson2, S. Barabash2, A. J. Coates3, D .R. Linder3, A. Fedorov4,
J. –A. Sauvaud4. 1Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78228, USA. 2Swedish
Institute of Space Physics, Box 812, Kiruna S-981 28, Sweden, 3Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University
College London, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking RH5 6NT, United Kingdom, 4Centre d'Etude Spatiale des
Rayonnements, 9 Avenue de Colonel Roche, Toulouse 31028, France. [email protected]

The Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic observed, there must be ions present to balance the
Atoms (ASPERA-3) experiment on board the Mars electronic charge. Spacecraft charging is often
Express spacecraft conducts measurements of observed in the dayside ionosphere which is about
electrons by the Electron Spectrometer (ELS), ions -7V, accelerating the ions into IMA and increasing
by the Ion Mass Analyzer (IMA), and neutral the probability that ions would have been detected.
particles by the Neutral Particle Imager (NPI) and
the Neutral Particle Detector (NPD). While orbiting The missing observations of significant ions at
Mars, the ELS is able to observe peaks in the the times that photoelectrons are measured lent
photoelectron spectrum due to photoionization of support for adjustments to internal voltage setting
carbon dioxide and atomic oxygen by Solar Helium within the IMA. These adjustments were carried
30.4 nm photons. The source of these peaks in the out by ESA in the spring of 2007 and were intended
photoelectron spectrum is the dayside Martian to increase the sensitivity of IMA in the low-energy
ionosphere, with the majority of photoelectrons ion range. After these adjustments were made, low-
created at the exobase where the density is greatest. energy ions are observed in the dayside ionosphere
A fraction of these photoelectrons are transported to whenever ELS observes photoelectron peaks. The
altitudes of the spacecraft. ELS observes combined observations of photoelectron peaks and
photoelectron peaks in the Martian ionosphere on low-energy ions in the dayside ionosphere are
nearly every ionospheric transit. highlighted by Figure 1. At times when ELS
observes ionospheric photoelectron peaks, IMA now
During the times when the Mars Express successfully observes low-energy ions. In this paper
spacecraft traveled through the dayside ionosphere we plan to interrogate dayside ionospheric cases
and ELS observed photoelectron peaks, few ions of where photoelectron peaks are observed during
any significance were measured. Due to charge times of increased IMA sensitivity to identify ions.
neutrality arguments, when the photoelectrons are

Figure 1. Observation of Photoelectrons in the Dayside Martian Ionosphere. Photoelectrons are observed as horizontal
lines in the Energy-Time spectrogram at about 22-24 eV and 27 eV of energy (note that the spacecraft is charged to about -7
V in this Figure). At the same time, low-energy ions are observed.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SOIL PREPARATION SYSTEM AND MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DRILL FOR FUTURE SUBSOIL

SAMPLING ACTIVITIES ON PLANET MARS T. C. Ng1, K. L. Yung2, P. Weiss2, W. Leung3, S. Choi4.
1
Dental Surgeon, Room 1605, Medical Floor, Island Center, 1 Great George Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
2
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong
Kong. 3Automation Technology Center, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clearwater Bay,
Kowloon, Hong Kong. 4COM-X Limited, Suite 1812, 18/F, 113 Argyle Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong
Kong. [email protected]

The search of signs of past life on the red planet proposed sampler is designed for fine sand
continues to be the focus for several major future sampling, as well as for rock coring and gripping.
missions where analyses of the Martian surface and Implemented onto a long drill, this system is able to
subsurface soil composition could provide further function several feet below the Martian surface.
insights towards the search and the better The correlation between the scientific objectives of
understanding of Mars’ morphology. Efficient and future Mars missions to the design of the proposed
reliable tools are necessary to support these novel sampling strategy will be illustrated. The
exploration activities and sophisticated experiments paper will conclude with an outline of the
to be carried out effectively. The payload prototyping efforts and the other future development
constraints demand microscopic yet multi-functional of the tool.
tool sets to adapt to a wide range of tasks.
A team from Hong Kong has been appointed by References: .
the United Kingdom to design and manufacture the
sampling tools on board of the Beagle 2 Lander. Figure 1. Drill End of Proposed Integrated Sampler
Based on past experience, the team has designed
small and lightweight soil preparation system
(weighing only 230g and grinding to size of 1mm)
for the Russian Phobos-Grunt Mission planned to be
launched in 2009. The device is developed to
function under an environment of practically no
gravity. These recent developments can be adapted
for future applications on Mars.
An overview on different sampling methods and
sample preparation techniques will be presented
here based on experiences acquired during past
missions to our solar system’s planets. Using the
ExoMars vehicle as a baseline, an advanced
sampling concept of integrated downhole
hammering sampler will be presented. The
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SOLAR FORCING AND MARTIAN PLANETARY ION OUTFLOW – NEW MARS

EXPRESS FINDINGS R. Lundin1, S. Barabash1, M. Holmström1, Hans Nilsson1, M. Yamauchi. B1.
J.-A. Sauvaud2, A. Fedorov2. 1Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), Kiruna, Sweden . 2Centre
d’Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements, BP-4346, F-31028 Toulouse, France. [email protected]

The solar wind and the solar XUV/EUV radiation comet-like mantle lies well inside the induced
constitute a highly variable forcing of the upper magnetosphere boundary (IMB).
atmosphere of Mars. Solar forcing leads to heating-, We present results from a statistical study based
ionization, energization, and loss of planetary on data from 42 pre-selected orbits before and 30
atmospheric atoms and molecules. The extent to orbits after the change of energy settings. A
which solar forcing governs planetary ion escape is preliminary analysis indicates that the escape rate
still debated. The solar forcing variability leads in from Mars is substantially higher than those
the Earth's case to outflow variability by up to three previously reported from MEX. The variability of
orders of magnitude for O+. the low-energy planetary ion outflow is compared
New energy settings, implemented in May 2007, with solar forcing conditions. Assuming that the
enables us to analyze cold ionospheric ions by the XUV/EUV flux and the solar wind dynamic
ASPERA-3 Ion Mass Analyzer (IMA) in greater pressure are the main drivers for solar forcing we
detail. After some four months of data taking a find that solar forcing variability leads to outflow
revised picture of the planetary ion escape emerges. rates varying by up to three orders of magnitude.
Low energy ionospheric ions expanding into the tail The outflow varies substantially from orbit to orbit,
with velocities in the 5-20 km/s range dominates the even during stable solar wind conditions. This
outflow (Fig. 1). The expansion/outflow is comet- implies a highly variable solar forcing by primarily
like, the low-energy ions forming a mantle of solar XUV/EUV, alternatively a non-linear response
variable thickness connecting to the dayside/flank to solar forcing variability.
high-altitude ionosphere. The outer bound of this

MEX orbit
MEX orbit
IMB
IMB

IMB IMB
O+, O2+, CO2+
IMB O+, O2+, CO2+ IMB

H+, He++
H+, He++

Figure 1. ASPERA-3 ion data from two orbit illustrating the expansion/outflow of low-energy ionospheric ions (O+, O2+,
CO2+) into the Martian tail. Heavy purple line along the orbit marks the extension of ionospheric ions into the tail.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SOUNDING OF THE MARTIAN EXOSPHERE WITH SPICAM ON MARS EXPRESS

J-Y. Chaufray1, F. Leblanc2., J-L. Bertaux1, E. Quémerais1
1
Service d’Aéronomie du CNRS/IPSL, Reduit de Verrieres BP3 Route des Gatines 91371 Verrieres-le-Buisson,
FRANCE.
2
Temporarily at Osservatorio astronomico di Trieste, Via Tepolo 11 34131 Trieste, ITALY
[email protected]

Section 1: Atomic hydrogen and oxygen are a hot component of the exospheric Martian
important tracers of the global behaviour and hydrogen population. However this conclusion will
evolutionary processes of the water. A series of need to be confirmed by new measurements,
exospheric observations performed in 2005 with the development of sophisticated radiative transfer
ultraviolet spectrometer SPICAM on board Mars approaches and by simultaneous measurements with
Express are studied. Two types of observation are other instruments. The analysis of the oxygen
analyzed : observations of the Lyman-
line in the component remains limited by the range of altitude
upper atmosphere and observations of the O I 130.4 where SPICAM UVS can observe the oxygen
nm triplet in the lower exosphere. We will present emissions. However, as for the case of the Lyman
the data processing and the methodology, based on a alpha, a first analysis suggests that a single
model of thermospheric and exospheric profiles component fit to the observation cannot reproduce
coupled to a radiative transfer model used to the observed measurements without introducing
analysis these optically thick emissions. The oxygen exospheric temperature much larger than previously
and hydrogen densities deduced from these measured by previous space missions or through the
observations will be presented and compared to the analysis of other emission lines.
Mariner’s results. The analysis of the Lyman-

emission above the exobase suggests the presence of .
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THE SOURCES OF METHANE ON MARS V. Formisano1, A. Geminale1. 1IFSI-INAF, Via Fosso del
Cavaliere 100 , Rome, Italy. [email protected]

ABSTRACT found extended regions with underground water ice,

The presence of methane in the atmosphere of see the report to EGU …..).
Mars is well established ( Formisano et al 2004). These findings link the source of methane and
The previous study has shown the average the water ice deposits on Mars, where methane
properties of the methane mixing ratio ( Geminale et could be included as clathrate hydrates.
al 2007) . On average methane has a mixing ratio of We propose for discussion two possible source
15 +- 5 ppbv . There are , however, several orbits in mechanisms, one biological and another abiotic.
which the mixing ratio is substantially higher. On It has been demonstrated on Earth that Archea
the basis of the GCM study of F.Forget, these orbits can live in ices and produce methane.
may help identify the locations where the possible The abiotic possibility comes from possible
sources of methane are located. Out of 20 000 analogy of Mars environment with comets. Comets
measurements, organized in more than 300 orbits, do contain methane. Methane on comets is thought
we have searched for the orbit averages having the to be formed by bombardment with energetic
methane line depth larger than 2 % of the particles of water ice containing CO2 molecules.
continuum, while on average is of the order of 0.5 % The annual sublimation and condensation of the
of the continuum. The selected orbits are 25 : they polar cap poses a number of constraints to the two
group naturally in 4 groups, which are then studied mechanisms, which , if well modeled, can
separately. eventually bring us to selection of one of them.
The first group of 8 orbits are strongly confined
in time and space: they are located above 60o
Northern latitude during the advanced spring. In References:
other words these orbits point to the sublimating Formisano, V., Atreya, S., Encrenaz, T., Ignatiev,
northern polar cap as one source of methane. N., Giuranna, M., 2004. Detection of methane in the
The second group of 9 orbits are confined in atmosphere of Mars. Science 306, 1758-1761.
space ( not in time) over Arabia Terra broadly Geminale, A., Formisano V., Giuranna M :
spiking. They point, therefore to the possible water Methane in Martian atmosphere : average spatial,
ice source identified by Odissey Neutron monitor diurnal , and seasonal behaviour.. This conference .
experiment and the Gamma Ray Spectrometer (2007).
experiment. Forget F, Haberle B., Montmessin M. : Spatial
The third and fourth group are made of 4 orbits variation of methane and other trace gases detected
each and they point , but with less accuracy than the on Mars:interpretation with a GCM. Lunar and
first two groups, to the Vallis Marineris region, and Planetary Science conf. XXXVI ( 2005).
to the Elisium planum region ( where Marsis has

Figure 1 :- a) Left. The average spectrum measured by PFS showing an average quantity of methane .
b) Right. A special orbit average spectrum showing rather high mixing ratio of methane.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THERMAL STRUCTURE OF MARTIAN SOIL AND THE MEASURABILIY OF THE PLANETARY

HEAT FLOW M. Grott1, J. Helbert1 and R. Nadalini2. 1Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace
Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany, 2Active Space Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany. [email protected]

Introduction: The planetary heat flow is one of model [2]. The parameters used in this study are
the key quantities characterizing a planets' thermal summarized in Table 1.
state and significantly influences tectonic,
magmatic and geological processes on the surface.
Furthermore, it is one of the few constraints we
have for thermal evolution models and is closely
connected to the concentration and distribution of
radioactive isotopes in the planetary interior. Apart
from the Earth, in-situ heat flow measurements
have only been performed on the Moon and
indirect methods had to be relied on to estimate the
Martian planetary heat flow.
Upcoming in-situ geophysical experiments [1]
will measure the Martian surface heat to learn Figure 1. Thermal conductivity k as a function of
about the thermal state of the planet. However, the depth for the two end-member cases considered. The
near surface thermal gradient and therefore the near surface conductivity is limited by the conductivity of
surface heat flow are determined by a number of CO2 and taken to be 0.01 W m-1K-1. At a depth of 10 m,
processes, most of which are exogenic. At shallow the models reach 95 % of the final conductivity k
of
depth, soil temperatures are driven by insolation, 0.02 W m-1 K-1 (solid line) and 0.1 W m-1 K-1 (dashed
line), respectively.
and diurnal as well as seasonal cycles have a
dominant influence. Furthermore, climatic Table 1. Parameters used in this study
variations like ice ages can have a significant
influence on the surface heat flow. Only part of the Variable Physical Meaning Value Units
temperature gradient near the surface is determined k0 Surface thermal conduct. 0.01 W m-1 K-1
by the planetary heat flow and a measurement of 0 Surface density 1000 kg m-3
this quantity can potentially pose severe problems. 
Asymptotic density 1750 kg m-3
We have investigated how the near surface heat cp Soil specific heat 600 J kg-1 K-1
flow is influenced by exogenic processes like the F Planetary heat flow 0.02 W m-2
diurnal and seasonal temperature cycles and how
meaningful measurements of the planetary heat
flow can be obtained [1]. Furthermore, we have Conclusions: The influence of seasonal
estimated how long-term climate and interannual temperature changes was found to be efficiently
temperature variations disturb the surface heat flow removed if measurements are extended over the
and assess the resulting errors. period of at least a full Martian year. Interannual
Model: We have investigated the thermal variability due to, e.g., eolian driven surface albedo
structure of dry Martian soil assuming that it is changes typically alters the heat flow by less than
determined by insolation and planetary heat flow. 15%, although errors may be larger if the soil's
Soil temperatures are then determined by the one- thermal conductivity and the albedo variations are
dimensional heat conduction equation and we both large. Heat flow perturbations caused by long-
consider a model with depth dependent thermal term climatic changes are found to stay below 15%.
conductivity (cp. Fig.1) and density: In order to also determine the soil's thermal
conductivity with an accuracy of 20 % or better, a
direct conductivity measurement is required. We
T   T  conclude that a measurement of the Martian
( z )c p =  k ( z)
t z  z  planetary heat flow is possible with an accuracy of
z + c1 30 % or better if measurements are extended over
k ( z ) = k
the period of at least a full Martian year and
z + c2
thermal conductivity is directly measured.
z + c3 Temperature sensors should have a precision of 0.1
( z ) = 

z + c4 K and measurements should be conducted up to a
depth of 3-5 m.

The surface boundary condition is given in References: [1] Spohn, T., et al. (2001), PSS, 49, 1571-
terms of temperature, which is taken from the 1577. [2] Grott, M., et al. (2007), JGR, in press. [3]
NASA/MSFC Global Reference Atmospheric Justus, C.G., et al. (2002), Adv. Space Res., 29, 193-202.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

STUDY OF AEROSOL PHASE FUNCTION WITH PFS DATA, G. Rinaldi1, V. Formisano1 1IFSI-INAF,
Rome, Italy [email protected]

The aim of our work is to analyze the aerosol phase In the second part we compare these phase functions
function inside the 2.7 μm band by means of a set with the one obtained from orbits taken in spot
of PFS spectra taken in nadir and spot pointing pointing mode to have the phase functions at the
mode and evaluate the radiative properties of the same wavenumber (Ls= 58o). From our preliminary
aerosol atmospheric particles. Planetary Fourier studies about phase functions we infer that there are
Spectrometer (PFS), a payload instrument of the two types of dust particles, in agreement with
European Mars Express Mission, is a Fourier Clancy and Wolff, 2003.
interferometer with a spectral range of 250-8000 cm- These dust particles indicate agreement of EPF-
1
and with a spectral resolution derived dust single scattering albedos (0.92-0.94)
of 1.3 cm-1 (Formisano et al. 2005). with results from Viking lander and
The understanding of aerosol properties is necessary TES observations (Pollack et al. 1995 and Clancy
to constrain the aerosol influence on heating and and Wolff, 2003). The two set of phase functions
cooling of atmosphere. measured from PFS show also how the solid
This work consists in two parts: in the first part the components of the Martian atmosphere are not yet
PFS data set used consist of spectra acquired in well understood.
nadir mode, in two different seasons (Ls=330o and
Ls=40o) and along different orbits with different References:
geometries (i.e. incident and emission angle). Clancy, R. T., Wolff, M. J., Christensen, P. R.
Spectra with the same phase angle (10o bins) and in Mars aerosol studies with the MGS TES emission phase
the same season have been groupped and averaged. function observations: Optical depths, particle sizes, and
In this way we are able to obtain the radiance factor ice cloud types versus latitude and solar longitude
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 108, Issue E9,
at 3700 and 3600 cm-1 in a wide phase angle range
pp. 2-1, CiteID 5098, DOI 10.1029/2003JE002058
(from 10o to 120o). Formisano, V. et al., The Planetary Fourier Spectrometer
These aerosol phase functions have been retrieved onboard the European Mars Express mission. Planet.
under the following assumptions: properties are Space Sci. , Vol 53, p. 963, ( 2005).
uniform along one orbit; no local dust storm is Ignatiev, N. I., Grassi, D., Zasova, L. V.,
present. Planetary Fourier spectrometer data analysis: Fast
The properties of the mean spectra have been radiative transfer models, Planetary and Space Science,
modeled by a radiative code implementing line by Volume 53, Issue 10,p. 1035-1042, 2005
line calculations of gaseous and aerosol opacities in Pollack, J.B. and Ockert-Bell, M.~E. and Shepard, M.K.,
Viking Lander image analysis of Martian atmospheric
LTE conditions (N.I. Ignatiev et al., 2005) to study
dust, Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227),
particle size distribution (reff),albedo and shape of Vol. 100, no. E3, p. 5235-5250 , 1995.
airborne particles.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

A STUDY OF WATER VAPOR OVER HELLAS USING OMEGA/MARS EXPRESS

T. Encrenaz1, R. Melchiorri1, T. Fouchet1, P. Drossart1, B. Gondet2, Y. Langevin2, J.-P. Bibring2, F. Forget3, L.
Maltagliati4, D. Titov4. 1LESIA, Paris Observatory, Meudon, France, 2 IAS, Orsay, France, 3LMD, Paris,
France, 4 MPS, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany. [email protected]

Forget, F., Hourdin, F., Fournier, R. et al. 1999.

We have used the OMEGA imaging spectrometer Improved general circulation models of the martian
aboard Mars Express to study the evolution of the atmosphere from the surface to above 80 km. J. Geophys.
water vapor abundance over Hellas basin, as a Res. 104, 24155-24176.
function of the seasonal cycle. The water vapor
Melchiorri, R., Encrenaz, T., Fouchet, T. et al. 2007,
column-density is inferred from the depth of the 2.6- Water vapor mapping on Mars using OMEGA/Mars
micron band of H2O (Encrenaz et al., AA 441, L9, Express, Plan. Space Sci. 55, 333-342.
2005 ; Melchiorri et al., Plan. Space Sci. 55, 333,
2007). We selected the same data set as for the Smith, M. D. 2002. The annual cycle of water vapor on
analysis of CO over Hellas (Encrenaz et al., AA Mars as observed by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer.
459, 265, 2006). The H2O column density is found J. Geophys. Res. 107, 1 doi: 10.1029/2001/JE001522,
to range from very low or undectable values E11, 5115.
(between southern fall and winter) up to about 20
Smith, M. D. 2004. Interannual variability in TES
pr-microns during southern spring and summer. The
atmospheric observations of Mars during 1999-2003,
general behavior of H2O is consistent with the Icarus 167, 148-165.
expected seasonal cycle of water vapor on Mars, as
previously modelled (Forget et al., 1999) and
observed by TES (Smith, 2002, 2004). In particular,
the maximum water vapor content is observed
around southern solstice, and is significantly smaller
than its northern counterpart. However, there is a
noticeable discrepancy around the northern spring
equinox (Ls = 330 – 60 deg.), where the observed
H2O column densities are significantly smaller than
the values predicted by the GCM, as well as the
values measured by the TES instrument, integrated
over longitude.

References:

Encrenaz, T., Melchiorri, R., Fouchet, T. et al. 2005, A

mapping of martian water sublimation during early
northern summer using OMEGA/Mars Express, Astron.
Astrophys. 441, L9-L12.
Encrenaz, T., Fouchet, T., Melchiorri, R. et al. 2006, Figure 2. The water vapor column density over Hellas as
Seasonal variations of the martian CO over Hellas as a function of solar longitude, as predicted by the GCM
observed by OMEGA/Mars Express, AA 459, 265-270. (Forget et al., 1999).

Figure 1. Red points: the water vapor column density

measured by OMEGA over Hellas as a function of solar
longitude. Blue stars: GCM predictions, extracted from
Fig. 2.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SUBMM WAVE INSTRUMENT (SWI) ON A POTENTIAL EXOMARS ORBITER P. Hartogh1, P. de

Maagt2. 1 MPI für Sonnensystemforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 2, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany. 2European
Space Agency, PO Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands. [email protected]

A submm wave sounder concept called MIME resources of a potential ExoMars orbiter. The
(Microwave Investigation on Mars Express) was presentation will address the scientific objectives of
proposed for the Mars Express mission. Based on this 10 kg / 50 W class submm wave instrument and
MIME, an improved state-of-the-art instrumental briefly summarize the instrumental specifications.
concept has been developed within the framework
of an ESTEC CDF study in order to fit the platform .
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SULFATES ON MARS – FROM THE EYE OF RAMAN-LIBS SYSTEM ON EXOMARS MISSION,

Alian Wang. Dept. Earth and Planetary Sciences, McDonnell Center for Space Sciences, Washington
University, St. Louis, MO, 63136, USA [email protected]

Recent mission results from Mars – both definitive identification of sulfates with cations
orbital and landed, have reinforced the importance other than Fe and for determination of their
of sulfates at the surface of Mars as indicators of hydration states), some discrepancies are found in
past geologic environments and as potential hosts the publications that report the analysis results of
for water. Their potential as a near-surface reservoir these two sets of data.
for water [Vaniman et al., 2004a], especially at mid- Simulation experiments are being conducted in
latitude and equatorial regions (6-11 wt% from laboratories trying to solve some of these
Water-Equivalent Hydrogen, Feldman et al., 2004, discrepancies. However, the best solution would be
2005), makes this group of minerals extremely on surface exploration with more sophisticated
important for understanding Mars’ hydrological instrumentation. Raman-LIBS system that will be
history. In particular, it is important to understand carried by Pasteur rover on ExoMars mission would
the exact mineralogy (type of cations & be one of them. By providing definitive mineral
crystallinity), degree of hydration, concentrations, phase identification at molecular level, with the
form of deposits, and how to accurately determine compositional information from the same target, it
these minerals and deposits on the surface of Mars. will open a new window towards Mars surface
Sulfate minerals are especially important mineralogy and chemistry, thus to advance our
record-keepers for the past and current conditions understanding on the surface alteration processes
on martian surface and within subsurface, diurnal and thus the evolution history of Mars.
and seasonal cycles, long-term evolution, and Figure 1a &1b compare the spectrum of a mixed
ultimately one of the major records of Mars’ hydrous Mg,Ca-sulfate in Vis-NIR spectral range
hydrologic history. The hydration state of Mg- (in OMEGA and CRISM spectral range) with the
sulfates can change rapidly following the changes in Raman spectrum of the same sample, in which the
temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) of the individual components in that mixture can be
environment [Chipera et al.,2005, 2006, 2007, unambiguously distinguished based on their narrow
Chou and Seal, 2003, 2005, 2007,Freeman et al., Raman V1 peaks. With chemical composition
2007a, 2007b, Vaniman et al., 2004a, 2004b, 2005, obtained from the same spot on the sample by LIBS
2006, Wang et al., 2006c, 2006d, 2006e, 2007b]. function in Raman-LIBS system, the
The oxidation state of iron ions in Fe-sulfates will characterization of this sulfate mixture (types of
be influenced by the redox condition in the cations, hydration states, and relative proportions)
environments where they formed and survived can be determined.
[Morris et al., 2000, Fernande-Remolar et al., We are continuing the simulation experiments for
2005]. Cation substitution can occur among sulfates on Mars, and in the same tome developing
different sulfates [Chou et al., 2002]. In a real the synergetic usage of Raman and LIBS spectral
world, these phase transitions and chemical data from RLS system.
reactions are dependent upon the structures of
starting phases, the kinetics of formation (which can Acknowledgement: NASA support for Mission of
be sluggish), the environment conditions of T & RH Opportunity for RLS investigation on ExoMars
variations and the coexisting mineral phases. Even mission.
for a pure sulfate, the actual water content is not References: Wang et al. (2006), Geochem.
only determined by its molecular structure, but also Cosmochem. Acta, V70, p6118-6135.
controlled by the
crystallinity, grain size,
and porosity in
packing (Wang et al.,
2007b).
Because of the
ambiguity in some
spectral analyses of
orbital remote sensing
(atmospheric
influences, spectral
band overlaps) and the
instrumentation limits
in surface explorations
(lack the capability for
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SUMMER OBSERVATIONS OF THE MARTIAN NORTH POLAR RESIDUAL CAP BY THE HIGH
RESOLUTION STEREO CAMERA (HRSC) IN 2004/2005 AND 2006/2007 D. Reiss1, H. Hoffmann2, F.
Scholten2, H. Hiesinger1, K.-D. Matz2, G. Neukum3 1Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-
Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany, 2Institut für Planetenforschung,
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany, 3Institute of
Geosciences, Planetology and Remote Sensing, Freie Universität Berlin, Malteserstrasse 74-100, 12249 Berlin,
Germany. [email protected]

Introduction: Monitoring the polar caps is on Mars Express [9] revealed largest discrepancies
important for understanding the current climate on with the HRSC red and infrared channel whereas the
Mars. The northern residual cap (NRC) is an blue and green channel with emission angles of -
important source of atmospheric water vapour and it 3.3° and +3.3°, respectively, generally agree well
is unclear if there is a net sublimation or deposition with the OMEGA observations [7, 10]. Therefore,
of water vapour under present climatic conditions. our analysis is mainly based on the green channel
The recession of the seasonal polar cap in spring (less influenced by atmospheric conditions than the
uncovers the bright NRC, which is composed of blue channel) and, if not available, on the nadir
H2O ice [1]. First observations suggested channel. To constrain the evolution of the residual
interannual changes of the NRC in extent [2, 3]. [4] cap, we made Lambert albedo mosaics of images
showed that these observed changes are most likely which were acquired within a time span of ~5° LS
due to seasonal variations. Detailed examination of and compared their percental albedo changes. For
the interior cap showed that the albedo varies interannual changes, we compared single images
spatially but is generally repeatable interannual [5]. which were acquired within ~2° LS in each year.
Hyperspectral data from OMEGA acquired between Results: Albedo changes in the first year
LS ~93° and ~127° in 2004/2005 revealed that the (2004/2005) from LS ~120° to ~130° of the cap are
albedo decrease on the polar cap is due to the vary by about 15% (-5% to +10%) while the cap
sublimation of fine-grained frost which exposes edges (e.g., 68°E/79.5°N) brighten in this period by
older large-grained ice while in outlying regions, 20% to 50%. From LS ~130° to ~140° the albedo of
dominated by large-grained ice, the albedo increases the cap decreases by ~10%. Changes at the cap
with time [6]. We tracked the seasonal and possible edges vary regionally. Some areas brighten by up to
interannual albedo changes of the NRC using the ~20% (e.g., 265°E/82°N), others darken by up to
Lambert albedo derived from High Resolution ~20% (e.g. Olympia Planitia). Between LS ~140° to
Stereo Camera (HRSC) image data [7] of the ~160° the albedo of the cap as well as of the cap
summer seasons 2004/2005 (LS ~120°-~160°) and edge decreases by about 20% but visible inspection
2006/2007 (LS ~90°-~150). of the image data indicates an increased atmospheric
Dataset and Method: For our analysis we used dust load. Currently, we are analyzing the
44 (22 in each summer) HRSC images north of observations from the second Martian year
75°N. Although the temporal and spatial coverage is (2006/2007) to track the evolution during summer
not complete, there are several areas of yearly and and to compare it to the first year of observation.
multi-year repeated coverage with high resolution. Conclusions: The relatively stable cap albedo
Lambert albedos were derived for the panchromatic from LS ~120° to ~130° is in agreement with the
nadir channel (675 ± 90 nm), the blue channel (440 results of Region B (42.5°E, 85.1°N) in [6]. Both
± 45 nm), the green channel (530 ± 45 nm), the red OMEGA measurements at LS 117.4° and 127.6° are
channel (750 ± 20 nm), and the near-infrared near the final spectrum indicating large-grained ice.
channel (970 ± 45 nm). After radiometric correction, The following albedo decrease of the cap until LS
HRSC image data are given in units of I/F ~160° is similar to the measurements of [11] close
corresponding to the ‘‘radiance factor’’ [8], i.e. the to the geographic north pole in 1999, 2001 and
ratio of the surface reflectance as measured and the 2003. They observed a strong drop in albedo
reflectance of a perfectly diffuse surface illuminated starting at LS 134°. The observed differences in
at 0° incidence [7]. To derive the Lambert albedo, albedo changes of the cap and of the cap edges from
incidence angles were determined for each pixel LS ~120° to ~140° shows the complex regional
separately to account for the large variance of variability as also reported by [5].
illumination within and between the image scenes. References: [1] Kieffer, H.H. et al. (1976) Science 194, 1341-
1344. [2] James, P.B and L. Martin (1985) Bull. Am. Astron. Soc
The emission angles of the red and infrared channel
17, 735. [3] Kieffer, H.H. (1990) JGR 95, 1481-1493. [4] Bass,
are -15.9° and +15.9, respectively and the large D. et al. (2000) Icarus 144, 382-396. [5] Hale A. S. et al. (2005)
viewing angle offsets are likely to have an influence Icarus 174, 502-512. [6] Langevin Y. et al. (2005) Science 307,
on the measurements due to different scattering 1581-1584. [7] Jaumann, R. et al. (2007) PSS 55, 928-952. [8]
Hapke, B. (1993) Cambridge University Press, 455 p. [9] Bibring
contributions of the atmosphere and surface.
J.-P. et al. (2004) ESA SP 1240, 37-49. [10] McCord T.B. et al.
Simultaneous observations at identical atmospheric (2007) JGR 12, DOI:10.1029/2006JE002769. [11] Benson J.L.
conditions with the OMEGA imaging spectrometer and P.B. James (2005) Icarus 174, 397-409.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

SURFACE ENHANCED RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY AS A COMPLIMENTARY TOOL

FOR PLANETARY EXPLORATION R. Wilson1, S. A. Bowden2, J.M. Cooper1 and J. Parnell2 1 Dept.
Electronics & Bioelectronics, University of Glasgow, UK. 2 Dept Geol. & Petrol Geol., University of Aberdeen,
UK. [email protected]

Studies using conventional laser Raman have yet to fully integrate the separate stages
instruments have made a good case for application (including the SERS assay) onto a single chip. The
of this type of spectroscopy to planetary exploration. final result will be a very rapid assay that can be
The detection of pigments sited in microbial matter applied to powdered samples, capable of detecting
in a range of samples from extreme environments ppb concentrations of organic analytes.
(e.g. Villar et al 2005) has supported development
of the technique for space exploration generally, and
Mars exploration in particular (Perez & Martinez-
Frias 2006). A major advantage of conventional
Raman spectroscopy is that the technique can be
applied to characterising bond types in organic and
inorganic materials.
The characterisation of the organic component of
a sample by Raman spectroscopy is best achieved
when the technique is applied in a microscopy
format, and the organic analyte analysed separately
to the mineral matrix. Analyses can easily be Figure 1. Spectra obtained for 100 μmolar concentration
repeated, adjusting the spot size and depth of focus solution of scytonemin in DMSO. a) Raman Spectra with
until a good quality spectra is obtained. Indeed, this no scytonemin peaks observed. b) Surface Enhanced
is the approach usually taken when applying the Raman Spectra of a 50 nm concentration of scytonemin
technique to Carbonaceous Chondrites for example acquired with the aid of silver colloid showing enhanced
(Quirico et al., 2003). Data with a high spectral peaks characteristic of scytonemin. Excitation laser
wavelength was 532 nm and power 10 mW
resolution can be built up and specific spectral
features mapped. In this way a skilled user can
The payload for the Pastuer EXO-MARS rover
visually sort through an image and target
includes a LIBS-Raman instrument that can perform
components of interest. The automated collection of
Raman Spectroscopy as both a first responder probe
data in a spatial context is very powerful and can
and in a microscopy format. But does not have a
identify structures that may be of biological origin
SERS capability that would allow for
(Pasteris et al., 2002).
characterization and detection of very low quantities
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)
of analyte. It would appear logical for the next
can readily provide an increase in the Raman signal
generation of Raman Spectroscopy instruments
greater than 105 (Etchegoin et al., 2003), and has
deployed on the surface of Mars to possess Tele-
been shown to overcome the problems created by
Raman, Micro-Raman and LOC-SERS analysis
the fluorescence of natural materials (Wilson et al.,
capabilities and thus maximise the scientific return
2007 – see fig 1). SERS is achieved by adsorbing
from mass dedicated to monochromatic light
the target analyte onto the surface of a roughened
sources and Raman spectrometers.
metal surface, which supports localized plasmons
that can have an extremely large EM field References: Villar et al., (2005) Analyst 130, 730; Perez
associated with them. Achieving this effect requires & Martinez-Frias (2006) Spectroscopy Europe 18, 18;
an extra stage of sample processing, but this can be Quirico et al., (2003) Meteor Plan. Sci., 38, 795; Pasteris
performed in a microfludic format. We are et al., (2002) Nature, 420, 476; Etchegoin et al., (2003)
combining the additional sample processing Chem. Phys. Letters, 375, 84; Wilson et al., (2007) Anal.
necessary for SERS with sample preparation also Chem. 79, 7036.
performed in a microfluidic format (including
extraction and sample concentration stages), but
SURFACE PROPERTIES OF MARS’ POLAR LAYERED DEPOSITS AND POLAR LANDING SITES. A.
R. Vasavada1 and K. E. Herkenhoff2, 1Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of California, Los An-
geles CA 90095-1567, USA ([email protected]), 2USGS Astrogeology Team, 2255 N. Gemini Drive,
Flagstaff AZ 86001, USA.

Introduction: The landed component of the Mars An analysis of surface color and albedo indicates
Surveyor 1998 missions, the Mars Polar Lander that bright red dust appears to be the major non-
(MPL), will reach the planet’s south polar region volatile component of the layered deposits, possibly
along with the Mars Microprobes on Dec. 3, 1999. along with a minor dark component [5]. There is little
The spacecraft will land on the south polar layered detectable color difference between the layered depos-
deposits, which partially cover the region poleward of its near the pole and the surrounding cratered terrain,
70S latitude, and will conduct the first in situ obser- perhaps indicating that a continuous mantle overlies
vations of the polar subsurface, surface, and atmos- both units. The composition of the near-surface layer
phere. Like on Earth, the polar regions of Mars are is uncertain. If it is a layer of typical atmospheric dust,
strongly influenced by seasonal and climatic cycles, an additional cementing agent is probably necessary to
and are ideal sites for landed experiments. support observed scarp slopes of up to 20 degrees, and
The location of MPL’s landing site is limited by to prevent removal of the material by wind [6].
atmospheric entry constraints to a latitude of 75+/-2 Dark Dune-Forming Material: Dark, dune-
degrees. This latitude range overlaps a contiguous, forming material is distributed over both polar re-
dissected plateau of layered deposits known as Ultimi gions. In the north, dark material is closely associated
Lobe between 170W and 230W longitude [1]. West of with erosional scarps in the layered deposits [7]. The
205W, Ultimi Lobe forms a broad plateau with eleva- dark, north polar sand sea has very low derived ther-
tions up to ~2 km above the surrounding cratered ter- mal inertias near ~75 [8]. In the south, the dark mate-
rain. Elevations gradually decrease east of 205W. Be- rial appears topographically trapped within depres-
cause the area is unexplored at the lander’s scale, sions on the deposits and within impact craters on the
properties and processes at that scale can be inferred surrounding terrain. Although not well-resolved in
only from remote sensing or theoretical results. In thermal inertia maps, the dark material in the south
anticipation of the landed mission, here we review the probably has a similarly low inertia.
derived surface properties of the southern layered de- The dark material’s low inertia can be reconciled
posits, and present new determinations of surface with its apparently sand-sized grains if it is composed
thermal inertia. of either basaltic ash fragments or aggregates of a mi-
Surface Thermal and Optical Properties: D. A. nor, dark dust component of the layered deposits that
Paige and colleagues have used Viking Infrared forms as a sublimation residue [8, and references
Thermal Mapper (IRTM) 20-micron measurements to therein]. Such material may be confined to the ob-
derive thermal inertias poleward of 60S latitude [2]. served low-albedo patches, or perhaps may be more
Thermal inertia measures the thermal response of a widely distributed if under a thermally unimportant
surface layer to variations in incident energy, and is layer of bright dust.
given here in SI units. The results are representative Surface Roughness: In Viking images of the
of the surface down to the diurnal skin depth (a few southern layered deposits with spatial resolutions
centimeters). We have derived new thermal inertia >100 m/pixel, the smooth surface of the broad plateau
maps in a similar fashion to [2], but also included near 75S and 200W-230W is interrupted only by low
important corrections for Mars’ radiatively active at- relief, E-W striking ridges and the rims of partially
mosphere [2,3]. buried impact craters. Ridge slopes are ≤10 degrees as
Results indicate that all surfaces poleward of 70S indicated by images taken at low sun angles. Regions
latitude--excluding the residual ice--are characterized where the deposits are very thin or absent have km-
by very low thermal inertias of ~75-125. These values scale roughness typical of the underlying cratered ter-
imply that the near-surface is fine-grained, and free of rain.
ice and rocks. An apparent particle size of ~10 mi- At resolutions <100 m/pixel, the surface of the
crons can be inferred from laboratory thermal con- southern layered deposits displays considerable tex-
ductivity measurements of well-sorted glass beads at ture. Grooves, flutes, and pits have been noted in the
relevant atmospheric pressures [4]. analysis of Mariner 9 images, suggesting mechanical
erosion most likely from wind [9].
 SOUTH POLAR SURFACE PROPERTIES: A. R. Vasavada and K. E. Herkenhoff

Summary: Much of the south polar region has lander’s access to the layered deposits. Unfortunately,
similar color, albedo, and thermal inertia. The conti- these issues cannot be addressed with currently avail-
nuity in color and albedo can be explained by the able data.
widespread presence of a few microns of bright dust The MPL’s landing site will most likely be ice-
[5]. However, the thermal inertia results are repre- free and relatively rock-free compared to areas such as
sentative of a layer at least a few centimeters thick. the Viking and Pathfinder landing sites. Regional
Accordingly, the south polar region may be mantled slopes appear not to pose a major hazard. Rather it is
by at least a few centimeters of typical Mars dust. smaller features such as the grooves and texture visi-
However, we speculate that the erosion (sublimation) ble at the ~10-m scale that may be hazardous.
of the southern layered deposits produces low-inertia Acknowledgements: The 1-D surface-
material similar to the dark, low-inertia material atmosphere model used to derived thermal inertias
thought to form from the sublimation of the northern was developed by David Paige. Pierre Williams, Na-
deposits. Perhaps such material covers much of the than Bridges, and Deborah Bass helped with image
south polar region under a thin coating of bright dust. analysis. Our ideas have been refined through discus-
Even if the dark material in the south is confined only sions with Bruce Murray and Ron Greeley.
to observed low-albedo patches, its thermal properties References: [1] Tanaka K. L. and Scott D. H.
are probably similar to those of dark material in the (1987) U. S. Geol. Surv. Misc. Invest. Map, I-1802-C.
north and to those of non-polar dust mantles. [2] Paige D. A. et al. (1994) JGR, 99, 25,993-26,013.
The possibility that a dust mantle or sublimation [3] Haberle R. M. and Jakosky B. M. (1991) Icarus,
lag covers the southern layered deposits raises the 90, 187-204. [4] Presley M. A. and Christensen P. R.
question of whether landed spacecraft will be able to (1997) JGR, 102, 6551-6566. [5] Herkenhoff, K. E.
access the “pristine”, presumably volatile-rich layered and Murray B. C. (1990) JGR, 95, 1343-1358. [6]
deposits. The thickness of the surface layer is highly Herkenhoff K. E. and Murray B. C. (1990) JGR, 95,
uncertain. If a sublimation lag, its thickness may be 14,511-14,529. [7] Thomas P. and Weitz C. (1989)
self-limited to the length scale of either vapor or Icarus, 81, 185-215. [8] Herkenhoff K. E. and Va-
thermal diffusion. Meter-thick, local concentrations of savada A. R. (1999) in press. [9] Cutts J. A. (1973)
eolian bright or dark material could also inhibit the JGR, 78, 4211-4221.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

Talus- and Landslide-Derived Mass-Wasting at Olympus Mons, Mars S. van Gasselt1, E. Hauber
, A. Dumke1,
G. Neukum1. 1Institute of Geological Scienes, Planetary Sciences and Remote Sensing. 2German Aerospace Center, Institute
of Planetary Research. [email protected]

Abstract: Slope deposits are prominent types of of Olympus Mons as well as to the destabilization of
large-scale landforms on Mars related to the avalanche-deposit margins. The tongue-shaped units
gravitational movement of debris masses and rock- are considered to represent the youngest sequence of
slope material in high-relief terrain, such as scarps scarp-related mass-wasting processes. Talus
and massifs of the dichotomy boundary [1-2], disintegration might be related to the release of
impact craters, volcanic edifices and tectonic water or thawing of near-surface permafrost bodies,
structures [3-4]. Such landforms occur at all indicated by closed and debris-filled depressions
latitudes on Mars and cover essentially all geologic suggestive of thermokarstic degradation. Although
eras of Martian history. Some of them are the overall shape of these landforms roughly
considered to be related to the release of water/ice resembles certain rock-glaciers [9], textural and
and are connected to the past and/or present Martian structural properties (e.g., distribution of ridges and
climatic environment. furrows as well as rocky and fine-grained material)
We here focus on a system of tongue-shaped and the interrelationship of these features to
features located at the footslope of Olympus Mons terminal and marginal areas imply a landslide
at 221.5°E, 19°N. These features consist of two origin. Consequently, although the climatic
overlapping morphological units which are boundary conditions were favourable to have
superimposed on an older (basal) flow unit. They facilitated rock-glacier formation, a paraglacial
are framed by and partly superimposed on two origin related to slope destabilization as a
massive landslide deposits extending towards the consequence of the proposed glacial degradation
western volcanic plains. The tongue-shaped and retreat at the western scarp of Olympus Mons
landfroms are superimposed on or are part of a large seems more appropriate.
spatulate flow feature controversially discussed as
glacial [5], cold-based glacial [6,7] or non-glacial References: [1] Squyres, Icarus, 34, 1978; [2]
[8] in origin. The same controversy also applies to Squyres,JGR, 84, 1979; [3] Lucchitta, JGR, 84, 1979 ; [4]
the small tongue-shaped flows discussed herein for Quantin, Icarus, 172, 2004; [5] Lucchitta, Icarus, 45,
which a periglacial [9], or a (alpine) glacial [10] 1981; [6] Head, Geology, 31,2003; [7] Milkovich, Icarus,
origin were proposed. 181, 2006; [8] Carr & Schaber, JGR, 82, 1977; [9] Head,
It is shown here that the tongue-shaped features Nature, 434, 2005; [10] Basilevsky, Sol. Sys. Res., 39,
have a mass-wasting origin related to the 2005.
disintegration of basal talus material at the footslope

Figure 1. Geomorphologic map of the western scarp of Olympus Mons showing flow units (blue) situated at the footslope
and framed by debris avalanche deposits. Flow units have been controversially discussed as either glacial or periglacial in
nature.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

TARGETING THE SEARCH FOR LIFE: EVALUATION OF LIFE INDICATING PARAMETERS ON

THE QUIRAING BASALT, ISLE OF SKYE, SCOTLAND S. J. M. Phillips & J. Parnell. Department of
Geology and Petroleum Geology, School of Geosciences, College of Physical Sciences, Meston Building,
King’s College, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, Scotland, UK. [email protected]

The Quiraing basalt (~60 Ma) [1] located 4 km east rock sample was collected from each cell and
of Staffin on the Isle of Skye, Scotland (Fig. 1) was returned to the laboratory for analysis using
selected as a test site to evaluate a range of positive Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography and an ATP
indicators to look for when deciding which rocks to (adenosine trisphosphate) assay to positively
target to analyse for life. Life indicating parameters determine if life was present. This was then
include evidence of water, sedimentary rocks, a correlated back to the life indicating parameters to
suitable matrix for organic molecules (chemical give an optimum set of parameters. A preliminary
sediments, clays), evidence for carbon, (including evaluation of sample sites will help increase the
pigments), possible energy gradients (including possibility of targeting a more favourable area to
signs of alteration such as colour), shielding from search for life when analysing planetary surfaces
irradiation (actual, or in recent past as in debris such as on Mars.
flows) and organised structures (such as
stromatolites) [2]. The Quiraing basalt outcrop References: [1] Anderson, F.W. & Dunham K.C. (1966).
contained several variations that were detected Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. Her
including fracturing, hydrothermal veining, red Majesty’s stationery office, Edinburgh. [2] Gorbushina,
weathering surfaces, shielding and bedding. A 5 m2 A.A., Krumbein, W.E. & Volkmann, M. (2002),
Astrobiology, 2, 203-213.
area was divided into 25 cells and each cell was
analysed for life indicating parameters. A 100 gram

Figure 1: Quiraing basalt, Isle of Skye, Scotland.

1m
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

TECTONIC AND PALEO-ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS OF CLARITAS FOSSAE ON MARS.

J. Raitala (1), P. Esestime (1, 2), J. Korteniemi (1), V.-P. Kostama (1), M. Aittola (1), T. Törmänen (1), T. Öhman (1)
and G. Neukum (3), 1Astronomy Division, Department of Physical Sci., Univ. of Oulu, Finland,
([email protected]), 2Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università “G. d´Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy,
3
Institut of Geosciences, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany.

Introduction: Evolution of Claritas Fossae (CF) temporal volatile reservoirs. The southern CF
on the SSE slope of Tharsis was characterized by paleolake [1,2] resembles that in the Morpheos
tectonics, volcanism and hydrology. Fluvial, erosion basin [12]. An outflow carved a channel out of the
and sedimentary features of the CF area were lake to Icaria Planum while tectonic activity still
formed within the active rift structure. This added continued as seen from the channels that do not
details to their development together with the follow the present topography. The few young faults
changes in global climate. The concept of tectonics on the basin floors can be used to identify some of
that co-acted with climate-related events provides a the last hydrologic and tectonic re-surfacing types.
framework to study the area. Morphology details let
to identify the interplay between geologic processes
and the paleolake [1,2] basin morphology and valley
deformation due to climate and tectonics. The area
is covered by the maps MC-17 and MC-25. The
MEX-HRSC [3], THEMIS [4], MOC [5] and the
very first HiRISE [6] images were used together
with the MOLA topography [7].
Climate-related factors: Along with changes in
Martian climate, water was mobilized from the
poles during the high inclination of the rotation axis. Fig. 1. The local hills and slopes display glacial
Seasonally increased solar radiation evaporated amphitheatres eroded by ice and water.
polar caps and accumulated snow and ice on the Further consideration: The interwoven activity
mid-latitude hills [8-11]. The reverse climate phase phases of CF includes the rift development that had
due to decrease in inclination melted these ice its driver in the Martian interior. Tectonics was
reservoirs and moved water back to poles. complicated by volcanism [13] and hydrology. The
The hill slope alcoves or amphitheatres (Fig. 1) faults provided aquifers for a substantial part of the
indicate ice accumulation areas. Glacial U-valleys water that originated from the high mid-latitude
lead down from them. Release of water from the hills, and even water from the Tharsis volcanoes
volatile-rich hilltops eroded the lower slopes and [9,11] may have utilized the CF rift. The broken
resulted in channels originating from the deposits. uppermost surface allowed water to erode flow
An amount of water penetrated the ground and channels and channel networks. Groundwater has
resulted in permafrost, and groundwater that led affected faults by erosion and fault lubrication. It
further to conduit formation along faults and to followed faults carving conduits and cavities, and
sapping events. This was repeated along the climate welling in places to the surface to form sapping
change cycle and resulted in frequent hydrology structures. Repeated aquifer activation may also
events that were correlated with tectonics. have provided humid shelters to support the increase
Tectonics vs. hydrology: The CF tectonics has and evolution of life forms - if they ever existed on
included several deformation phases. The E-W Mars.
grabens belong to the oldest phase. They are still Acknowledgements: The HRSC Team, Academy of
visible on the elongated NWW-SEE antiforms Finland and the Erasmus program supported the study.
associated with the N-S Claritas Rupes (CR) fault References: [1] Raitala et al. (2004) Vernadsky-
Brown Microsymposium 40, Abstr. #51. [2] Mangold and
on its western side. The wide set of conjugate N-S,
Ansan (2005) Icarus 180, 75-87. [3] Jaumann et al. (2007)
NNE-SSW and NNW-SSE grabens were formed in PSS 55, 928-952. [4] Christensen et al. (2004) Space Sci.
several deformation events. The CR fault and the Rev. 110, 85-130. [5] Malin and Edgett (2001) JGR 106,
CF grabens form a rift zone on the main CF bulge. 23429-23570. [6] McEwen et al. (2007) JGR in press. [7]
The multi-temporal tectonic events were Zuber et al. (1992) JGR 97, 7781-7797. [8] Laskar and
accompanied by changes in climate and hydrology Robutel (1993) Nature 361, 608-612. [9] Head et al.
over a period of time as seen from the fact that (2003) Nature 426, 797-802. [10] Raitala et al. (2005)
LPSC XXXVI, Abstr. #1307. [11] Head et al. (2005)
channels were frequently re-arranged by tectonics. Nature 434, 346-351. [12] Kostama et al. (2007) JGR in
Some of the channels pre- and other post-date the press. [13] Dohm et al. (2001) USGS Map I-2650.
faults of the very same set. Some basins provided
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THERMAL EVOLUTION OF MARS WITH PHASE TRANSITIONS O. Forni1, D. Breuer2. 1CESR-

CNRS, 9, av. du Colonel Roche, BP 44346, 31028 Toulouse Cedex 4, France. 2DLR, Rutherfordstraße 2
12489 Berlin, Germany. [email protected]

Introduction: We investigate the effect of the lower mantle layer shrinks (fig 1).
high-pressure phase transitions on the thermal
evolution of Mars, focusing mainly on the role
played by the Spinel-Perovskite phase transition.
The earlier calculations of Martian mantle
convection with phase transitions (e.g. [1], [2], [3]),
however, neglected important aspects of an evolving
planet, i.e. core cooling and the temperature
dependence of the phase transitions. Instead, these
models assumed that the temperature at the base of
the mantle and the mean depth of the phase
transitions was constant in time, assumptions often
made for simplicity in numerical mantle convection
calculations. It has been speculated by [4] that if the
This transition towards a conductive layer
core is allowed to cool that the plumes decrease in
prevents the core from cooling and consequently
strength on a time scale of a few 100 Ma depending
stops any active dynamo. This process is very
on the initial superheat of the core.
similar to the one advocated by [5] who explain the
Model: The thermal evolution has been
cessation of the dynamo by the transition from a
calculated with a 2D axi-symmetrical convection
tectonic plate regime to a stagnant lid regime.
model which considers core cooling. We solve the
Moreover this transition convective-conductive is
time-dependent compressible equations of thermo-
correlated with the growth of a huge hot plume that
convection for an infinite Prandtl number fluid. This
induces a degree-1 convection pattern in the upper
is done by solving both the coupled vorticity-stream
mantle.
function system and the temperature in an axi-
For an early Perovskite layer of less than about
symmetric spherical domain. The buoyancy terms
50 km, the layer is initially conductive and
and latent heat terms associated with the phase
disappears during the cooling of the planet. As the
transitions are also taken into account as well as the
lower mantle disappears, the cooling of the core
wandering of the phase transitions, the decay of the
becomes more efficient and may reactivate a
radiogenic heat sources with time and the core
dynamo. Some younger magnetised features as the
cooling.
one described by [6] may favour such reactivation.
The core size of Mars being unknown, we
Generally, one important finding of our modeling
consider two core sizes in these modeling. The core
is that strong mantle plumes are most likely not
sizes we choose allow the presence of the deepest
stable for a long period of time in the Martian
phase transition namely the Spinel-Perovskite phase
evolution if one considers the temperature
transition. This endothermic transition, which is
dependence of the Spinel to Perovskite phase
temperature and pressure dependent, moves
transition.
downwards due to the cooling mantle.
Results: Depending on the initial thickness of the
References: [1] Harder, H., 1998, JGR, 103, 16775. [3]
Perovskite layer and the efficiency of mantle Breuer, D., and T. Spohn (2003), JGR., 108 (E7), 5072,
cooling, basically two different scenarios can be doi:10.1029/2002JE001999. [3] Roberts, J. H., and S.
observed: For an early perovskite layer of more than Zhong (2006), JGR, 111, E06013,
about 150 km, this lower mantle layer initially doi:10.1029/2005JE002668. [4] Spohn T. et al. (2001),
convects separately from the upper mantle and Space Science Reviews, 96, 231. [5] Nimmo F. and D. J.
becomes conductive later in the evolution as the Stevenson (2000), JGR, 195(E5), 11969. 33, [6] R. J.
Lillis et al. (2006), GRL, L03202,
doi:10.1029/2005GL024905.

Figure 1. Evolution of the spherically averaged temperature in the lower mantle. The temperature moves from a convective
profile to a conductive profile around 900 Ma. The dashed line represents the position of the Spinel to Perovskite phase
transition.
Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII (2007) 1371.pdf

THEMIS OBSERVES POSSIBLE CAVE SKYLIGHTS ON MARS. G. E. Cushing1,2, T. N. Titus1, J. J.

Wynne1,2, P. R. Christensen3, 1U.S.G.S. 2255 N. Gemini Dr. Flagstaff, AZ 86001, [email protected], 2Northern
Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, 3Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287.

Introduction: Here we report the discovery distinct from collapse pits, however, by a lack of visi-
of seven candidate skylight entrances into subterranean ble (sunlit) walls or floors. These proposed skylights
caverns (Figure 1). All seven are located on the flanks also lack the visible characteristics (such as raised rims
of Arsia Mons (southernmost of the massive Tharsis- or ejecta patterns) that would associate them with im-
ridge shield volcanoes), a region with widespread col- pact craters. Thermal behaviors furthermore confirm
lapse pits and grabens which may indicate an abun- they are not misidentified surface features such as dark
dance of subsurface void spaces [1,2]. sand or rock.
Motivation: Subterranean void spaces may Diameters generally range between 100-252
be the only natural structures on Mars capable of pro- m (estimated from THEMIS VIS at 18 m/pixel for
tecting life from a range of significant environmental most images). Only minimum depths can be calculated
hazards. With an atmospheric density less than 1% of (because the floors are not illuminated by the sun in
the Earth’s and practically no magnetic field, the Mar- THEMIS observations) and range between 73-96 m
tian surface is essentially unprotected from micro- (diameter ÷ tan(incidence angle)). However, a fortu-
meteoroid bombardment, solar flares, UV radiation nate MOC observation of Dena at ~2 p.m. (R0800159)
and high-energy particles from space [3,4,5,6]. Addi- actually does show an illuminated floor, allowing us to
tionally, intense dust storms occur planet wide, and tightly constrain the depth using a 1-D photoclinome-
some regions exhibit temperature ranges that can dou- try routine. This routine returns a depth of ~130 m for
ble over each diurnal cycle [7]. Besides general geo- the illuminated floor, while the minimum depth esti-
logical interest, there is a strong motivation to find and mated from the THEMIS observation is only ~80 m.
explore Martian caves to determine what advantages Because THEMIS IR observes at 100-m reso-
these structures may provide future explorers. Fur- lution, cavern skylights with diameters much smaller
thermore, Martian caves are of great interest for their than that are probably not thermally distinguishable
biological possibilities because they may have pro- from regular temperature variations on the surface.
vided habitat for past (or even current) life [5,6,8]. Discussion: Analyses of the candidates sug-
Preserved evidence of past or present life on gest they are not of impact origin, not patches of dark
Mars might only be found in caves [5,6,8], and such a surface material, and are likely skylight openings into
discovery would be of unparalleled biological signifi- subsurface cavernous spaces. Visible observations
cance [3]. Cave deep zones on Earth generally main- show dark holes with sufficient depth that no illumi-
tain constant climate conditions [9,10] which are ideal nated floors (incidence angles ≥ 61.5°) can be seen
for the preservation of organic material. Accordingly, from a nadir perspective (Thermal-infrared data sug-
Martian caves are among the most desirable targets for gest temperatures inside these features remain nearly
astrobiological exploration [11,12,13,14]. constant throughout each diurnal cycle. Figure 2 shows
Observations: The Mars Odyssey Thermal afternoon temperatures for Annie that are warmer than
Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) collected the the shadows of adjacent collapse pits, and cooler than
majority of data for this study [15]. From a nadir per- sunlit portions. Meanwhile, nighttime temperatures for
spective, THEMIS observes both visible and thermal- this candidate are warmer than all nearby surfaces.
infrared wavelengths during the afternoon (~ 1500- Such is the behavior we would expect of a cavern floor
1700 hrs), and IR wavelengths only for early-morning that receives little or no daily solar insolation [9,10].
observations (~ 0300-0500 hrs.) [15]. Wendy, Dena, Annie and Jeanne are the
The inspection of dark, circular pit-like fea- strongest candidates because they have the most com-
tures at visible wavelengths (VIS band 3, ~.654 μm) plete data sets; i.e., they have both VIS and diurnal IR
gave our first indication of potential skylight openings coverage, and they are large enough to be clearly iden-
(nadir-pointing observations prevent us from determin- tified at 100-m resolution. Chloë, Abbey and Nikki are
ing whether these are caverns or deep vertical shafts). also strong candidates because they have the same
To aid in visualization, we have informally named visible and thermal characteristics as the other candi-
these ‘seven sisters’ on Arsia Mons as: Dena, Chloë, dates. Their minimum depths could not be constrained,
Wendy, Annie, Abbey, Nikki and Jeanne (Figure 1). however, because of late-afternoon observations when
Most of the candidates are adjacent to collapse pits or the sun is too low to shine deeply into the pits.
are directly in-line with collapse-pit chains, and appear Conclusion: Additional observations are
to have formed by similar processes. They are visibly necessary—particularly those at different times of day
Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII (2007) 1371.pdf

and from an off-nadir perspective. These candidates different wavelengths. Future observations will pro-
cannot be physically explored with our current state of vide more substantial information about the character-
technology because the targets are too small and spe- istics and history of these features. A planet-wide
cific, and the atmosphere at these elevations is too thin search for similar targets is currently underway—
for a lander to slow down or maneuver sufficiently to particularly for those existing at lower elevations. This
reach them. The astrobiological significance may also discovery presents us with new insights and new chal-
be reduced at these elevations because microbial life, if lenges for the future of Mars exploration.
it ever existed on Mars, may not have occurred at these References: [1] Ferrill, et al. (2003) LPSC XXXIV; [2]
elevations. However, possible evidence of liquid water Wyrick, et al. (2004) JGR, 109(E6); [3] Mazur et al. (1978)
at the Martian surface was recently identified by Ma- Space Sci. Rev. v.22, 3-34; [4] Kuhn and Atreya (1979) J.
lin, et al. (2006) [16]. If liquid water does exist at or Mol. Evol. v.14, 57-64; [5] Boston, et al. (2004) STAIF v.699
1007-1018; [6] Schulze-Makuch et al. (2005) JGR,
near the surface, then caves at lower elevations could
110(E12); [7] Cushing and Titus (2005) GRL, v. 32; [8] Fre-
hold natural reservoirs, greatly improving the possi- derick (2000) Concepts and App. for Mars Exp. 114; [9]
bilities for past or present microbial life. Tuttle and Stevenson (1978) Nat. Cave Mgmt. Symp. Proc.;
The discovery of potential skylight openings [10] Howarth (1980) Evolution v.34; [11] Grin et al. (1998)
into Martian caves is an exciting step towards future LPSC XXIX; [12] Boston (2000) Geotimes 45(8) 14-17; [13]
exploration and discovery. New spacecraft orbiting Boston et al. (2001) LPSC XXXII; [14] Parnell et al. (2002)
Mars, with greater observational capabilities, can ob- Astrobio. v.2(1), 43-57; [15] Christensen (2004) Space Sci.
serve these candidates at higher resolutions, at differ- Rev. v.110(1); [16] Malin (2006) Science v.314 1574-1577.
ent times of day, from different perspectives and in

Figure 1: Seven proposed cave skylights. Clockwise from upper-left: Dena, Chloë, Wendy, Annie, Abbey, Nikki and Jeanne. Arrows
signify direction of solar illumination (I) and direction of North (N). Respective image IDs are: 18053001, 13448001, 17716001, 18340001,
14334002 and 18315002. To facilitate our photoclinometry routine, each candidate has been map-projected with the sun coming from the
9 o’clock direction.

Figure 2: THEMIS VIS and IR images show diurnal thermal behavior of a candidate cave skylight. [A] is the visible image, [B] is an
afternoon IR image observed concurrently with the VIS (~1500 hrs), and panel [C] is an early-morning observation at 0400 hrs. This
example represents the typical thermal behavior for all of our candidates.
European Space Agency 
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars 
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 ‐ 16 November, 2007 
 
TITHONIUM CHASMA SALT BEARING OUTCROPS, STRATIGRAPHIC MARKER FOR
MARTIAN WATER SPAN
C. Popa1, F. Esposito1, L. Colangeli1, G.G.Ori2; 1OAC (Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, salita
Moiariello 16, Napoli 80131, Italy), 2IRSPS (International Research School of Planetary Sciences,
Pescara, Italy)
 
Magnesium sulfate hydrated salts are present in the A very likely process for exhumation is salt
Internal Light toned outcrops of Tithonium Chasma diapirism. TC present all required tectonic and mineral
(TC), the northern trough in western Valles Marineris conditions for diapirism in thin-skinned condition to
(VM). Major part of formational paths for the formation occur. Also the surface morphology sustains diapirism
of magnesium sulfates requires water presence in process as primary exhuming process of a possibly early
quantities large enough to pond in topographic to medium Hesperian depositional process.
depressions on Mars surface. Evaporation from brine TC system on Mars can offer the means of
derived from pristine rock alteration is a primary assessing the Martian water time span, especially the
candidate for the formation of these outcrops. superior limit of considered wet-dry boundary climatic
Morphological evidences prove a very likely situation transition [2]. We consider the most likely hypotheses
of post depositional disturbance of the initial horizontal of formation of LTO, and each specific hypothesis
deposition for TC case. The TC outcrops have also a implication to the configuration of Tithonium Chasma,
unique morphology amongst the VM magnesium sorting the best fitting one according to the observed
hydrates salt bearing deposits, having an elongated geomorphology and mineralogy aspects. We isolate and
attitude parallel to main tectonic lineation (the same of determine the spatial distribution of the LTO and LLO,
the trough) and an almost symmetric position in respect as well as the water mineral bearing of each unit in
with Chasma walls, with a positive topography standing order to assign a correct formational process that will
up to 2000 m above the chasm floor. better fit the existing mineral, temporal, and water span
A geologic analysis approach for this area is performed constrains. Water related mineral distribution partly
using available remote sensed data from the Mars overlaps the LTO, and bears various mineral hydration
Express ESA mission, in order to characterize the states that match the spectral signatures of magnesium
morphology and mineral distribution in the area. HRSC sulfate (kieserite, epsomite). Their morphology rules out
and OMEGA C channel data are used to establish the the posteriori formation of the outcrops in an eventuality
relationship between the topography and the mineral of water filling the chasm after its opening whatever the
composition, (within the capabilities of the spectral formation mechanism may be, calling for alternative
range used). Seven OMEGA orbits (431, 887, 997, processes of emplacement. Diapirism hypothesis led to
1008, 1345, 1889, and 1911) were used for the spectral a model of stratigraphic time evolution of the area that
mapping of the area using the characteristic absorptions fit the current general water span currently accepted. 
for the hydrated magnesium sulfates.  
The study is focused on the establishment of the  References: [1] Catling et al. (2006) Icarus; [2] Bibring
process(es) that could have emplaced the salt bearing J.-P. et al. (2006) Science, 312, 400-404; [3]Malin and Edgett
outcrops, taking into account each possible candidate (2000).
mechanism of formation from those synthesized in [1].
Lacustrine and dry depositions are good candidates for
the outcrop emplacement, but can hardly explain the
amount and the spatial confined emplacement of the
outcrops emplacement in TC.
Crater counting dating of the outcrops would place
them at the top of the stratigraphic chart for the geologic
units, way recent compared to the proposed water span
period [2], unless buried by geologic processes (igneous
activity) posteriori their formation and subsequently
exhumed by various processes in recent geologic
periods.
Based on the appearance observation in visible
MOC NA images [1,3] there is a debate for the
stratigraphic sequence for IDL with respect to the wall
rock along VM.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

Topographic Mapping and Rover Localization during the 2003 Mar Exploration Rover Mission
Operations and New Developments for Future Landed Missions. R. Li, K. Di, B. Wu, W. Chen, J. Wang, S.
He, J. Hwangbo, Y. Chen. The Ohio State University, Dept. of Civil & Env. Engineering & Geodetic Science,
470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, U.S.A. E-mail: [email protected].

MER mission operations as hemispheroid, semi-ellipsoid, cone and

In support of Mars Exploration Rover (MER) tetrahedron. Rocks extracted and modeled from two
mission operations, researchers at the Mapping & adjacent rover sites are matched by a combination of
GIS Lab of the Ohio State University (OSU) have rock-model matching and rock-distribution-pattern
been collaborating with JPL and many other mission matching. We have tested our software using a
teams in performing rover localization and 337m traverse (20 pairs of sites) taken by Spirit at
topographic mapping on a daily basis since the the Husband Hill summit area and a 206m traverse
landing of the two rovers in January 2004 [1, 2]. (13 pairs of sites) obtained at a Silver Lake test site
From thousands of Pancam and Navcam ground on Earth. Test results show the proposed method is
images, we have produced a) rover localization effective for medium-range (up to 26m) traverse
products including accurate traverse maps, segments; success rates for the number of site pairs
horizontal and vertical traverse profiles, plus the are 65% and 76% (or 81% and 85% after
Spirit drive metric; b) regular topographic products prescreening) for the Spirit and Silver Lake data,
including DTMs and ortho maps, 3D crater models, respectively. We are further improving our methods
and 3D maps of large topographic features; and c) and are performing tests using the entire 5-km
special topographic products such as north-facing traverse acquired at Silver Lake, CA, in January,
slope maps and solar energy maps. These 2007. At the same time, the onboard incremental
topographic maps and rover localization data have BA technology we are developing will be integrated
been extensively used in tactical and strategic with JPL’s visual odometry technology to achieve
planning and operations as well as various scientific long-range autonomous rover localization.
investigations.
On-board rover localization is performed using Enhanced topographic mapping
wheel odometry, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), With the support of the NASA Applied
and a Sun positioning technique using Pancam Information System Research (AISR) Program, we
imagery. A visual odometry technique is applied in are developing a method for the integration of
order to correct errors caused by wheel slippage and orbital and ground images for enhanced topographic
ensure safe drives over difficult terrain as well as to mapping. In this ongoing research, a combined
provide high precision approaches to science targets bundle adjustment of orbital and ground imagery
within a relatively short distance [3]. In order to will be used to achieve the best possible accuracy
achieve high accuracy over long distances, for topographic mapping. We have developed a
incremental bundle adjustment (BA) of an image rigorous photogrammetric model and bundle-
network formed by Pancam and/or Navcam images adjustment software for MOC NA and HiRISE
is carried out on Earth at the OSU Lab. After BA, stereo image processing and achieved sub-pixel
2D accuracy generally ranges from sub-pixel to 1.5 accuracy at the MER sites. We have also developed
pixels while 3D accuracy is at a centimeter to sub- a hierarchical stereo-matching process for DTM
meter level (based on consistency check of the BA generation from stereo orbital images and for tie
results). It has been demonstrated that BA-based point selection.
rover localization technology has corrected wheel Next, we will develop landmark (e.g., mountain
slippage, IMU drift and other navigation errors as peaks and crater rims) extraction methods for
large as 10.5% in the Husband Hill area of the automatic linking between orbital and ground
Gusev Crater landing site (Spirit) and 21% in Eagle images. Consequently, the combined orbit-ground
Crater at the Meridiani Planum landing site bundle adjustment will improve the precision of the
(Opportunity) [1, 2]. image orientation parameters. The integration of
orbital and ground images will enhance high-
Autonomous rover localization precision topographic mapping and rover
Recently we developed an innovative method to localization in support of such planetary exploration
automate cross-site tie-point selection so that BA- tasks as pre-landing target selection, high-precision
based rover localization can be autonomously lander localization, and onboard navigation for the
performed onboard the rover [4]. This new method rovers.
consists of algorithms for rock extraction, rock
modeling, and rock matching from multiple rover References: [1] Li et al. (2006), JGR 111, DOI:
sites. Rocks are extracted from 3D ground points 10.1029/2005JE002483. [2] Li et al. (2006), JGR 112,
generated by dense matching of stereo images, and DOI: 10.1029/2006JE002776. [3] Maimone et al. (2007),
then modeled using analytical surface models such JFR 24, 169-186. [4] Li et al. (2007), JFR 24, 187-203.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

TWO YEARS MARS GIS DEVELOPMENT

P. Saiger1,2, F. Preusker1, A. Nass1, M.Waehlisch1, H. Asche2 , J. Oberst1, R. Jaumann1
1
Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center, Rutherfordstr. 2, D-12489 Berlin,
[email protected]
2
University of Potsdam, Department of Geography, Geomatics Section

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are MOLA, TES, HRSC, the USGS crater catalogue for
powerful tools for integration of different planetary instance using ArcOBJECTS and MySQL
datasets, e.g. images, spectral data, and digital Connector Net 1.0.8. This results in smaller datasets
terrain models which are typically given in different which facilitate the handling in ArcGIS. Also we
formats like vector and raster. We are currently began studying the widespread Martian drainage
involved in a project to import large volumes of data networks using ESRI`s “ModelBuilder” to automate
from the recent Mars missions into a planetary GIS the time-consuming step by step workflow. The goal
database. is to find pour points for runoff water and
Before working in GIS with such datasets, it is watersheds.
necessary to prepare them for import. Using Furthermore, we implemented an algorithm to
ArcOBJECTS, a collection of ArcGIS programming calculate surface roughness from calibrated MOLA
objects, and object oriented programming languages shots joined with slopemaps, generated from HRSC
like Visual Basic .NET, we create ESRI shape files digital elevation models.
according to a suitable specification. Regular shape We have also developed an ArcGIS toolbar with
files are not sufficient, because data points often several tasks for better handling huge datasets for
have large numbers of attributes associated with reprojecting and displaying raster information.
them in the original ASCII dataset. Here, the MOLA Further, there are a lot of calculate functions for area
(Mars Orbiting Laser Altimeter) dataset is a typical measurement, attribute write outs or for joining the
example with over 33 attributes per Laser shot. different raster and vector datasets to derive new
These have to be imported using a .dbf database file. scientific results. Also, we programmed modules of
Once this is accomplished, it is possible to combine easier handling of map layouts in ArcGIS.
all these different datasets with raster information, We applied our GIS tools for various geologic
such as HRSC (High Resolution Stereo Camera), or mapping and interpretation tasks as well as for 2d
MOC (Mars Orbiter Camera) images, or MDIM 2.1 and 3d visualisation and analysis.
maps for joint analysis. We will demonstrate several examples of importing,
In addition we implemented window front ends to making measurements and reprojecting in large data
access a planetary MySQL Database for creating sets in different formats with ESRI’s object model
specific shape files. So it is possible to search in for ArcGIS 9.X.
huge datasets for attributes or label points from

Figure 1. GIS results around Gusev crater

European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THE TYRRHENA-MALEA VOLCANIC PROVINCE, MARS R. Greeley1, D. A. Williams1, R. L.

Fergason1, R. O. Kuzmin2, J. Raitala3, G. Neukum4, D. Baratoux5, P. Pinet5, L. Xiao6, and the HRSC Team.
1
Arizona State University, SESE, Box 871404, Tempe AZ 85287-1404, USA. 2Vernadsky Institute, Russian
Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia. 3University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 4Institute of Geological Sciences,
Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany. 5Observatoire Midi-Pyrenees, UMR 5562, Toulouse, France. 6 Research
Center for Space Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074 China.
[email protected]

Tyrrhena, Hadriaca, Amphitrites, and Peneus are eruptions began at about the same time for the four
highland paterae, which are characterized as broad, structures Tyrrhena (3.9 Ga), Hadriaca (3.9 Ga),
low-profile “central-vent” volcanoes of mafic Amphitrites (3.7 Ga), and Peneus (3.7 Ga). (Crater
composition (Pinet and Chevrel, 1990). Tyrrhena counts have not yet been completed for Malea and
and Hadriaca are on the northeast side of the Hellas Pityuse Paterae). We suggest that collectively, the
impact basin, while Amphitrites and Peneus Paterae six volcanic patera and Malea Planum can define a
are part of Malea Planum, which is superposed on major volcanic region, here termed the Tyrrhena-
the south southwest rim of the basin. South and Malea Volcanic Province (TMVP), which could be
southwest lie Malea and Pityusa Paterae. Although tectonically linked to the Hellas impact structures.
all of these features were inferred from Mariner 9 In all, TMVP covers 2.6 x 106 km2, stretching some
data to be volcanic, the generally poor atmospheric 5000 km from Tyrrhena Patera to the southern
"seeing" conditions at the high southern latitudes extent of flows from Pityusa Patera. Although not
precluded high quality imaging until recently. New continuous across the floor of Hellas, TMVP is
synoptic data from HRSC, THEMIS and local comparable in extent to the well-known Tharsis
"sample" images from MOC and HiRISE are volcanic province.
providing new insight into the volcanic features of
Malea Planum, including the volcanic paterae that References: Pinet, P. and S. Chevrel (1990), JGR 95,
are the eruptive sources. Ages estimated from DOI: 10.1029/90JB00703.
impact crater frequencies suggest that initial

Figure 1. Fig. 1. Topographic rendition from MOLA data showing the proposed Tyrrhena Malea Volcanic Province (in red)
superposed on the Hellas impact basin. Tyrrhena, Hadriaca, Amphitrites, and Peneus Paterae all have ages >3.6 Ga;
together with Malea and Pityusa Paterae, these were the primary eruptive centers for the province and might have utilized
structures associated with Hellas as vent foci.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

VOLCANIC EDIFICES AT THE MARTIAN NORTH POLE – NEW INVESTIGATIONS T. Kneissl1, G.

Neukum1. 1Institute of Geosciences, FU Berlin, 12249 Berlin, Germany. [email protected]

Small-scale volcanic features in the Martian north 300° east and 75° to 85° north and in the area
polar area were identified and investigated by between 195° to 215° east and 72° to 80° north.
several authors in the past (e.g. [1 - 4]). These The High Resolution Camera (HRSC) onboard
investigations were mostly made on the basis of ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft has achieved
image data of the Viking mission and topography almost a full coverage of the north polar region
data from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars with resolutions between 12 m/px and 200 m/px.
Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA). MOLA data Both image data and derived digital terrain models
made it possible to distinguish possible volcanic are an excellent basis for a re-investigation of the
cones and domes from other features like impact distribution and characteristics of possible volcanic
craters. Domes were generally considered to be edifices in the north polar region. Thus far, detailed
broad and flat shield-like constructs, while cones information has been obtained regarding the shape
were considered to be steeper volcanic landforms and morphometry of major edifices. The general
with a central crater. These volcanic edifices occur young age as obtained from age determinations on
in the height-range of several tens of meters up to the basis of high-resolution MOC image data
more than hundred meters with diameters up to suggest recent or even ongoing geologic activity
more than 20 km. [5]. Additionally, the distribution of these
MOLA data helped to conduct first studies landforms has been re-investigated in more detail
regarding the possible formation mechanisms. which helped to identify many more features
Basaltic effusive and explosive volcanisms are clustered in the two regions mentioned above.
discussed in connection with the Martian volatile References: [1] Garvin, J.B. et al., (2000), Icarus, 145,
distribution in the subsurface that may play a 648-652. [2] Sakimoto, S.E.H. et al., (2000), LPSC XXXI,
significant role. The already identified possible Abs.#1971. [3] Wright, H.M. et al., (2000) LPSC XXXI,
volcanic edifices are situated mainly in two Abs. #1894. [4] Sakimoto, S.E.H. et al., (2001), LPSC
XXXII, #1808. [5] Neukum, G. et al., (2006), EPSC,
regions, in a dark polar dune field between 240° to
p.621.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

WATER ICE AT LOW LATITUDES ON MARS F. G. Carrozzo1, G. Bellucci1, F. Altieri1, J-P Bibring2.
1
INAF – Istituto di Fisica dello Spazio Interplanetario, 00133, via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, Rome, Italy.
2
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay Campus, France. [email protected]

Introduction: Although water vapour is one of short period. 2) Stable ice during the period in
the minor constituents in the Martian atmosphere, it which all day saturation occurs. At the moment, the
plays a key role in the climate of the planet, together thermal model does not allow us to discriminate
with the carbon dioxide and the dust. The key factor between them because it does not account for the
in the stability of water ice is the amount of sublimation/deposition rate. Moreover, the presence
humidity in the atmosphere: the more it increases, of ice changes the thermal properties of the surface
the higher the probability that water vapour and sub-surface. In particular, its presence increases
saturates. On Mars, water ice is found in the polar the thermal inertia [4], which in turn favours its
cap deposits, in the clouds in the form of ice crystals stability.
and at high latitudes in the form of surface ice. This
work reports on the identification of superficial References: (Times New Roman, 9pt.) [1] Carrozzo et al.
water ice at low latitudes on Mars with OMEGA (2007), LPSC XXXVIII, Abs. #2096. [2] Putzig et al.
instrument on board of Mars Express. (2005), Icarus 173, 325-341. [3] Christensen et al. (2001),
JGR, 106, 23,823-23,872. [4] Mellon and Putzig (2007),
Discussion: The identification of water ice is
LPSC XXXVIII, Abs. #2184.
based on detection of three bands: ~1.5
m, ~2.0

m and ~2.5
m. The water ice is mostly found on
the slopes, along the walls of numerous craters,
scarps and feet of hills [1]. The areas where the ice
is observed are in shadow. This shows a clear
relationship with the local illumination condition,
which favours the deposition of water ice on the
surface when the temperatures are very low. In the
orbits analysed, water ice is found on 74 tracks
between 30°S and 15°S (2 during fall and 72 during
winter). Water ice can deposit on the surface if the
atmosphere is saturated. In order to verify this, we
have implemented a thermal model, including the
effect of the illumination on the slopes. Here we
report as example the case of cube 1221_4 (Ls 136°)
from the OMEGA dataset (fig 1). We fixed two
values for thermal inertia: 150 J m-2 k-1 s-1/2 (mean
Figure 1. Figure 1a shows the OMEGA cube 1221_4
values in the terrains outside the scarp and craters) centred at 139.8°W and 26.8°S, Ls=136°. The pixels with water
350 J m-2 k-1 s-1/2 (mean values in the terrains inside frost are colored according to the 1.5
m band depth. Figure 1b
the scarp and craters). Thermal inertia data have shows some examples of icy OMEGA spectra from the scarp
with band depth 0.02 (black), 0.04 (blue), 0.07 (green) and 0.10
been taken from TES map [2]. The bolometric
(red).
albedo is fixed at 0.24 [3]. According to the model,
for thermal inertia of 350 J m-2 k-1 s-1/2 (fig. 2), the
atmosphere becomes saturated the whole day during
the end fall and early in the winter as soon as the
slope is increased up to 20°. For a slope of 25° the
atmosphere is saturated during all the day for Ls
between 50° and 120°. Decreasing the slope (20°)
we got saturation all the day in a shorter seasonal
period (Ls=75°÷100°). In the remaining cases the
saturation never occurs between 11:00 and 15:00 in
local time. The period of daily saturation is longer
for the high thermal inertia terrains compared to Figure 2. In the figures are reported, for different slopes
lower ones and in the last case we have 24 hours (5°, 15°, 25°), the saturation state (grey area) and no-saturation
state (white area) during the martian day (y-axis) as a function the
saturation only for 25° slope. solar longitude between 0° and 180° (x-axis). The latitude is that
Conclusions: The ice observed by OMEGA of figure 1. We assumed a thermal inertia 350 J m-2 k-1 s-1/2,
can be: 1) ice that deposits during the period in bolometric albedo: 0.24, slope azimuth: 180° (south oriented).
which saturation occurs and then sublimes for a
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

THE ORIGIN OF PERENNIAL WATER ICE AT THE SOUTH POLE OF MARS. F. Montmessin1,2, R.
M. Haberle1, F. Forget3, R. T. Clancy4, J.-P. Bibring5, and Y. Langevin5 1NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett
Field, USA, 2now at Service d’Aéronomie, Verrières le Buisson, France, 3Laboratoire de Météorologie
Dynamique, Paris, France, 4Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colorado, USA, 5Institut d’Astrophysique
Spatiale, Orsay Campus, France. [email protected]

The poles of Mars are known to have recorded cap, which is known to cold-trap water molecules
recent (<107 years) climatic changes. While the on its surface and which probably controls the
South Polar Region appears to have preserved its current extent of the water ice units, is geologically
million-year-old environment from major younger, (3) our GCM shows that 21,500 years ago,
resurfacing events, except for the small portion when perihelion occurred during northern spring,
containing the CO2 residual cap, the discovery of water ice at the North Pole was no longer stable and
residual water ice units in areas adjacent to the cap accumulated instead near the South Pole with rates
provides compelling evidence for recent as high as 1 mm/year. This could have led to the
glaciological activity. The mapping and formation of a meters-thick circumpolar water ice
characterization of these H2O-rich terrains by mantle. As perihelion slowly shifted back to the
OMEGA onboard Mars Express, which have current value, southern summer insolation
supplemented earlier findings by Mars Odyssey and intensified and the water ice layer became unstable.
Mars Global Surveyor, have raised a number of The layer recessed poleward until the residual CO2
questions related to their origin. We propose that ice cover eventually formed on top of it and
these water ice deposits are the relics of Mars' orbit protected water ice from further sublimation (see
precession cycle and that they were laid down when Fig. 1). In this polar accumulation process, water ice
perihelion was synchronized with northern summer; clouds play a critical role since they regulate the
i.e. more than 10,000 years ago. We favor exchange of water between hemispheres. The so-
precession over other possible explanations because called “Clancy Effect”, which sequesters water in
(1) as shown by our General Circulation Model the spring/summer hemisphere coinciding with
(GCM) and previous studies, current climate is not aphelion due to cloud sedimentation, is
conducive to the accumulation of water at the South demonstrated to be comparable in magnitude to the
Pole due to an unfavorable volatile transport and circulation bias forced by the north-to-south
insolation configuration, (2) the residual CO2 ice topographic dichotomy.

Figure 1. Illustration summarizing the sequence of events in the south polar region since the last “reversed perihelion”
regime of the precession cycle. (1) At that time, water was extracted off the north polar cap and was deposited over the south
PLD terrains thanks to a favourable summer insolation gradient between the poles. (2) The passage to present-day
configuration, with perihelion argument now entering a northern spring regime, reversed the orientation of the insolation
gradient and forced water to progressively return back to the North Pole. (3) In a third act, erosion process stopped as
permanent CO2 ice slabs formed and kept water from subliming further.
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

WATER VAPOR IN THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE BY SPICAM IR/MARS-EXPRESS: TWO

YEARS OF OBSERVATIONS A.Y. Trokhimovskiy1, A.A. Fedorova1, O.I. Korablev1, J.-L. Bertaux2,3, E.
Villard2,3, A.V. Rodin1, L. Joly2,4. 1Space Research Institute (IKI), 84/32 Profsoyuznaya, 117810 Moscow,
Russia. 2Service d'Aéronomie du CNRS/IPSL, BP.3, 91371, Verrières-le-Buisson, France. 3Institut Pierre Simon
Laplace, Université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin, 78 Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, France. 4Groupe de
Spectrométrie Moléculaire et Atmosphérique, Moulin de la Housse 51687, Reims, France. [email protected]

Introduction: SPICAM experiment along with experiments on Mars-Express that could not be
PFS and OMEGA spectrometers on Mars Express explained longer by instrumental problems of
has a capability to sound the water vapor in the SPICAM.
atmosphere. The results of H2O measurements have Radiative transfer modeling: Sensitivity of
been intensively published during last two years [1, retrieval to aerosol scattering and different vertical
2, 3, 4]. Here we present the new analysis of distributions of aerosol and water vapor was
SPICAM IR water vapour measurements, covering analyzed for H2O absorption band at 1.38 and 2.56
almost two Martian years. The near-IR channel of μm. The aerosol scattering will be accounted for in
SPICAM experiment on Mars Express spacecraft is further analysis of the bulk of SPICAM data.
a 800-g acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF)-based Results: We present the results from January
spectrometer operating in the spectral range of 1- 2004 (Ls = 330°, MY26) to August 2007 (Ls =
1.7 μm with resolving power of ~2000 [5, 6]. The 290°, MY28), i.e. almost two Martian years. The
nadir measurements of H2O in the 1.37-μm spectral seasonal trend of water vapor obtained by SPICAM
band is one of the main objectives of the IR is consistent with TES results and disagrees
experiment. with MAWD South pole maximum measurements.
Data treatment: As compared with previous The maximum abundance is 50-55 pr. μm at the
analysis of water vapor presented in [4] we used north pole (during MY28 data are missing) and 13-
the spectroscopic database HITRAN2004 [7] 16 pr.μm at the south pole. The northern tropical
instead of HITRAN 2000 and the most recent maximum amounts to 12-15 pr μm.
measurements of the water line-width broadening
in CO2 atmosphere.
The new version of the Martian Climate
Database V4.2 [8] was adopted for modeling of
synthetic spectra and a scenario based on TES
MY24 was used.

Figure 2. Map of water vapor for one and half Martian

year of SPICAM IR observation

Acknowledge: Russian team acknowledges support

from RFBR grants 07-02-00850 and 06-02-72563.

References: [1] Fouchet, T., (2007), Icarus 190, 32-49.

[2] Melchiorri, R. (2007), PSS 55, 333-342. [3]
Encrenaz, Th. (2005), A&A 441, L9-L12. [4] Fedorova,
A. et al. (2006), JGR 111, DOI:10.1029/2006JE002695.
Figure 1. A portion of SPICAM spectrum, showing
the vicinity of H2O absorption band at 1.38 μm, and the [5] Bertaux, J.-L. et al. (2006), JGR 111,
adjacent CO2 band at 1.43 μm. 10 subsequent spectra of DOI:10.1029/2006JE002690. [6] Korablev, O. et al.
orbit 30 are averaged. The synthetic model assumes 8 (2006), JGR 111, DOI:10.1029/2006JE002696. [7]
pr.μm of atmospheric water. SPICAM spectrum is Rothman, L.S. et al. (2005), JQSRT, 96, 139-204. [8]
measured on orbit 30, LS = 335.7, latitude 65S, longitude Forget, F. et al. (2007), LPICo1353.3098F.
58W, and local time of 09:20 [6].

The spare model of SPICAM IR instrument was

recalibrated in June 2007 in Reims, to analyze
specifically the sensitivity to the H2O vapor band.
According to laboratory measurements, a leakage
from the AOTF is responsible up to 5% of signal in
sharp absorption features, making the apparent
depth of the H2O band lower. However, corrected
SPICAM results remain lower than results of other
European Space Agency
European Mars Science and Exploration Conference: Mars Express & ExoMars
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12 - 16 November, 2007

WESTERN PROMETHEI TERRA SMOOTH PLAINS REGION ON MARS: IMPLICATIONS OF

VOLCANIC ORIGIN AND ANALYSIS OF SURFACE FEATURES. J. Raitala1, V.-P. Kostama1, J.
Korteniemi1, M. A. Ivanov1,2, T. Törmänen1 and G. Neukum3; 1Astronomy, Department of Physical Sciences,
PO BOX 3000, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland; 2Vernadsky Institute, Moscow, Russia; 3Institute of
Geological Sciences, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany. <[email protected]>

The study area within the W Promethei Terra association with the lava plains are consistent with
(36-50°S, 90-106°E) is ~700 km across. It is a and suggest that the straight ridges may represent
distinct area on the smoothened eastern Hellas basin exhumed dikes, which have served as feeders for the
rim (Fig.1), and consists of two topographic parts: a lava plains. These two ridge types and the layered
regional slope of ~0.07° eastward of ~97°E and a structure suggest that the regional basement material
steeper ~0.88° westward of ~97°E. To the NE, E, is of volcanic origin. The volume of the layered
and S the region is confined by Noachian cratered material in this region is estimated to be ~0.3 x 106
terrain, and the central area is cut by the large km3 and the time of emplacement of the material
canyons of Harmakhis, Reull and Teviot Valles. The may correspond to the Late Noachian-Early
western and central areas exhibit smooth Hesperian Hesperian epochs. The topographic characteristics
plains. The plains are multi-layered, which is seen of the area of the smooth plains in Promethei Terra
on the walls of the canyons that cut them. The collectively suggest that if the plains were emplaced
average observed thickness of the Promethei layers in the void on the rim of Hellas, it likely was a
is ~70-80 m and the typical measured slope of the steep-sided trough-like depression [4]. The thermal
walls of the canyons is ~25-30o. This gives an erosion of an ice-saturated megaregolith may
estimate of the thickness of the layers, which is ~35- explain this and therefore must precede the phase of
45 m. The true thickness of the stack of layers is the massive volcanism [5]. Therefore, the first two
estimated from observations to be ~1-1.3 km. major episodes in the evolution of the eastern
Similar stacks of layers are seen in other regions of portion of the Hellas rim likely are: (1) Erosion of a
Mars where the interiors of lava plains are exposed large amount (~0.5 x 106 km3) of regolith from the
(i.e. Lunae Planum and Syrtis Major). central-western portion of Promethei Terra and (2)
Besides the observed layering, the plains have a emplacement of volcanic basement material within
variety of surface features, some genetically related the created void and formation of the possibly
to the basement material and others due to independent volcanic province of Western
deposition/modification of younger materials Promethei Terra [4,6]. The abundant fluvial-related
(mesas, channels [1-3]). In many places, but mostly features and the younger age of terrains to the south
in the eastern portion of the area, the preferentially of Reull also suggest that there was also a third
E-W oriented wrinkle ridges deform the surface of episode related to relatively late resurfacing [1-4].
the plains. Another set of long straight narrow References: [1] Kostama et al. (2007) LPSC 38;
ridges (widths < km, heights 10s m, lengths 10s km) [2] Korteniemi et al. (2007) 7th Mars; [3]
are also seen on the surface of the plains. They Korteniemi et al. (2007) Vernadsky-Brown 46; [4]
occur in preferentially NE-SW-oriented groups. The Raitala et al. (2007) submitted. [5] Tanaka et al.
regional topography does not control the distribution (2002) GRL; [6] Kostama et al. (2007) Vernadsky-
of the long ridges. Their morphologic Brown 46.
characteristics, areal distribution, and close

Figure 1. The location of the probable volcanic province (white ellipse) in regional context, plotted on MOLA DTM.