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1. Abundance and isotopic composition of gases in the martian atmosphere from the Curiosity rover

Author

Mahaffy, P. R., Webster, C. R., Atreya, S. K., Franz, H., Wong, M., Conrad, P. G., Harpold, D., Jones, J. J., Leshin, L. A., Manning, H., Owen, T., Pepin, R. O., Squyres, S., Trainer, M., Kemppinen, O., Bridges, N., Johnson, J. R., Minitti, M., Cremers, D., Bell, J. F., Edgar, L., Farmer, J., Godber, A., Wadhwa, M., Wellington, D., McEwan, I., Newman, C., Richardson, M., Charpentier, A., Peret, L., King, P., Blank, J., Weigle, G., Schmidt, M., Li, S., Milliken, R., Robertson, K., Sun, V., Baker, M., Edwards, C., Ehlmann, B., Farley, K., Griffes, J., Grotzinger, J., Miller, H., Newcombe, M., Pilorget, C., Rice, M., Siebach, K., Stack, K., Stolper, E., Brunet, C., Hipkin, V., Leveille, R., Marchand, G., Sanchez, P. S., Favot, L., Cody, G., Steele, A., Fluckiger, L., Lees, D., Nefian, A., Martin, M., Gailhanou, M., Westall, F., Israel, G., Agard, C., Baroukh, J., Donny, C., Gaboriaud, A., Guillemot, P., Lafaille, V., Lorigny, E., Paillet, A., Perez, R., Saccoccio, M., Yana, C., Armiens-Aparicio, C., Rodriguez, J. C., Blazquez, I. C., Gomez, F. G., Gomez-Elvira, J., Hettrich, S., Malvitte, A. L., Jimenez, M. M., Martinez-Frias, J., Martin-Soler, J., Martin-Torres, F. J., Jurado, A. M., Mora-Sotomayor, L., Caro, G. M., Lopez, S. N., Peinado-Gonzalez, V., Pla-Garcia, J., Manfredi, J. A. R., Romeral-Planello, J. J., Fuentes, S. A. S., Martinez, E. S., Redondo, J. T., Urqui-O'Callaghan, R., Mier, M.-P. Z., Chipera, S., Lacour, J.-L., Mauchien, P., Sirven, J.-B., Fairen, A., Hayes, A., Joseph, J., Sullivan, R., Thomas, P., Dupont, A., Lundberg, A., Melikechi, N., Mezzacappa, A., DeMarines, J., Grinspoon, D., Reitz, G., Prats, B., Atlaskin, E., Genzer, M., Harri, A.-M., Haukka, H., Kahanpaa, H., Kauhanen, J., Paton, M., Polkko, J., Schmidt, W., Siili, T., Fabre, C., Wray, J., Wilhelm, M. B., Poitrasson, F., Patel, K., Gorevan, S., Indyk, S., Paulsen, G., Gupta, S., Bish, D., Schieber, J., Gondet, B., Langevin, Y., Geffroy, C., Baratoux, D., Berger, G., Cros, A., d'Uston, C., Forni, O., Gasnault, O., Lasue, J., Lee, Q.-M., Maurice, S., Meslin, P.-Y., Pallier, E., Parot, Y., Pinet, P., Schroder, S., Toplis, M., Lewin, E., Brunner, W., Heydari, E., Achilles, C., Oehler, D., Sutter, B., Cabane, M., Coscia, D., Szopa, C., Dromart, G., Robert, F., Sautter, V., Le Mouelic, S., Mangold, N., Nachon, M., Buch, A., Stalport, F., Coll, P., Francois, P., Raulin, F., Teinturier, S., Cameron, J., Clegg, S., Cousin, A., DeLapp, D., Dingler, R., Jackson, R. S., Johnstone, S., Lanza, N., Little, C., Nelson, T., Wiens, R. C., Williams, R. B., Jones, A., Kirkland, L., Treiman, A., Baker, B., Cantor, B., Caplinger, M., Davis, S., Duston, B., Edgett, K., Fay, D., Hardgrove, C., Harker, D., Herrera, P., Jensen, E., Kennedy, M. R., Krezoski, G., Krysak, D., Lipkaman, L., Malin, M., McCartney, E., McNair, S., Nixon, B., Posiolova, L., Ravine, M., Salamon, A., Saper, L., Stoiber, K., Supulver, K., Van Beek, J., Van Beek, T., Zimdar, R., French, K. L., Iagnemma, K., Miller, K., Summons, R., Goesmann, F., Goetz, W., Hviid, S., Johnson, M., Lefavor, M., Lyness, E., Breves, E., Dyar, M. D., Fassett, C., Blake, D. F., Bristow, T., DesMarais, D., Edwards, L., Haberle, R., Hoehler, T., Hollingsworth, J., Kahre, M., Keely, L., McKay, C., Bleacher, L., Brinckerhoff, W., Choi, D., Dworkin, J. P., Eigenbrode, J., Floyd, M., Freissinet, C., Garvin, J., Glavin, D., Martin, D. K., McAdam, A., Pavlov, A., Raaen, E., Smith, M. D., Stern, J., Tan, F., Meyer, M., Posner, A., Voytek, M., Anderson, R. C., Aubrey, A., Beegle, L. W., Behar, A., Blaney, D., Brinza, D., Calef, F., Christensen, L., Crisp, J. A., DeFlores, L., Feldman, J., Feldman, S., Flesch, G., Hurowitz, J., Jun, I., Keymeulen, D., Maki, J., Mischna, M., Morookian, J. M., Parker, T., Pavri, B., Schoppers, M., Sengstacken, A., Simmonds, J. J., Spanovich, N., Juarez, M. d. l. T., Vasavada, A. R., Yen, A., Archer, P. D., Cucinotta, F., Ming, D., Morris, R. V., Niles, P., Rampe, E., Nolan, T., Fisk, M., Radziemski, L., Barraclough, B., Bender, S., Berman, D., Dobrea, E. N., Tokar, R., Vaniman, D., Williams, R. M. E., Yingst, A., Lewis, K., Cleghorn, T., Huntress, W., Manhes, G., Hudgins, J., Olson, T., Stewart, N., Sarrazin, P., Grant, J., Vicenzi, E., Wilson, S. A., Bullock, M., Ehresmann, B., Hamilton, V., Hassler, D., Peterson, J., Rafkin, S., Zeitlin, C., Fedosov, F., Golovin, D., Karpushkina, N., Kozyrev, A., Litvak, M., Malakhov, A., Mitrofanov, I., Mokrousov, M., Nikiforov, S., Prokhorov, V., Sanin, A., Tretyakov, V., Varenikov, A., Vostrukhin, A., Kuzmin, R., Clark, B., Wolff, M., McLennan, S., Botta, O., Drake, D., Bean, K., Lemmon, M., Schwenzer, S. P., Anderson, R. B., Herkenhoff, K., Lee, E. M., Sucharski, R., Hernandez, M. A. d. P., Avalos, J. J. B., Ramos, M., Kim, M.-H., Malespin, C., Plante, I., Muller, J.-P., Navarro-Gonzalez, R., Ewing, R., Boynton, W., Downs, R., Fitzgibbon, M., Harshman, K., Morrison, S., Dietrich, W., Kortmann, O., Palucis, M., Sumner, D. Y., Williams, A., Lugmair, G., Wilson, M. A., Rubin, D., Jakosky, B., Balic-Zunic, T., Frydenvang, J., Jensen, J. K., Kinch, K., Koefoed, A., Madsen, M. B., Stipp, S. L. S., Boyd, N., Campbell, J. L., Gellert, R., Perrett, G., Pradler, I., VanBommel, S., Jacob, S., Rowland, S., Savijarvi, H., Boehm, E., Bottcher, S., Burmeister, S., Guo, J., Kohler, J., Garcia, C. M., Mueller-Mellin, R., Wimmer-Schweingruber, R., Bridges, J. C., McConnochie, T., Benna, M., Bower, H., Brunner, A., Blau, H., Boucher, T., Carmosino, M., Elliott, H., Halleaux, D., Renno, N., Elliott, B., Spray, J., Thompson, L., Gordon, S., Newsom, H., Ollila, A., Williams, J., Vasconcelos, P., Bentz, J., Nealson, K., Popa, R., Kah, L. C., Moersch, J., Tate, C., Day, M., Kocurek, G., Hallet, B., Sletten, R., Francis, R., McCullough, E., Cloutis, E., ten Kate, I. L., Arvidson, R., Fraeman, A., Scholes, D., Slavney, S., Stein, T., Ward, J., Berger, J., Moores, J. E., GeoRessources, Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre de recherches sur la géologie des matières premières minérales et énergétiques (CREGU)-Université de Lorraine (UL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), MSL Science Team, NWO-NSO: The role of perchlorates in the preservation of organic compounds on Mars, and Petrology

Subjects
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Curiosity rover, chemistry.chemical_element, [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences, Mars, MSL Mars Atmosphere Isotopis Composition, martian atmosphere, 01 natural sciences, Astrobiology, Isotopic signature, chemistry.chemical_compound, 0103 physical sciences, MSL, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Martian, Multidisciplinary, δ13C, Atmosphere of Mars, Nitrogen, chemistry, 13. Climate action, Sample Analysis at Mars, Carbon dioxide, Environmental science, Carbon monoxide
Abstract

Mars' Atmosphere from Curiosity The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on the Curiosity rover that landed on Mars in August last year is designed to study the chemical and isotopic composition of the martian atmosphere. Mahaffy et al. (p. 263 ) present volume-mixing ratios of Mars' five major atmospheric constituents (CO 2 , Ar, N 2 , O 2 , and CO) and isotope measurements of 40 Ar/ 36 Ar and C and O in CO 2 , based on data from one of SAM's instruments, obtained between 31 August and 21 November 2012. Webster et al. (p. 260 ) used data from another of SAM's instruments obtained around the same period to determine isotope ratios of H, C, and O in atmospheric CO 2 and H 2 O. Agreement between the isotopic ratios measured by SAM with those of martian meteorites, measured in laboratories on Earth, confirms the origin of these meteorites and implies that the current atmospheric reservoirs of CO 2 and H 2 O were largely established after the period of early atmospheric loss some 4 billion years ago.

Published
2013
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2. Curiosity at Gale Crater, Mars: Characterization and analysis of the rocknest sand shadow

Author

Blake, D. F., Morris, R. V., Kocurek, G., Morrison, S. M., Downs, R. T., Bish, D., Ming, D. W., Edgett, K. S., Rubin, D., Goetz, W., Madsen, M. B., Sullivan, R., Gellert, R., Campbell, I., Treiman, A. H., McLennan, S. M., Yen, A. S., Grotzinger, J., Vaniman, D. T., Chipera, S. J., Achilles, C. N., Rampe, E. B., Sumner, D., Meslin, P.- Y., Maurice, S., Forni, O., Gasnault, O., Fisk, M., Schmidt, M., Mahaffy, P., Leshin, L. A., Glavin, D., Steele, A., Freissinet, C., Navarro-Gonzalez, R., Yingst, R. A., Kah, L. C., Bridges, N., Lewis, K. W., Bristow, T. F., Farmer, J. D., Crisp, J. A., Stolper, E. M., Des Marais, D. J., Sarrazin, P., Agard, C., Alves Verdasca, J. A., Anderson, R., Archer, D., Armiens-Aparicio, C., Arvidson, R., Atlaskin, E., Atreya, S., Aubrey, A., Baker, B., Baker, M., Balic-Zunic, T., Baratoux, D., Baroukh, J., Barraclough, B., Bean, K., Beegle, L., Behar, A., Bell, J., Bender, S., Benna, M., Bentz, J., Berger, G., Berger, J., Berman, D., Blanco Avalos, J. J., Blaney, D., Blank, J., Blau, H., Bleacher, L., Boehm, E., Botta, O., Bottcher, S., Boucher, T., Bower, H., Boyd, N., Boynton, B., Breves, E., Bridges, J., Brinckerhoff, W., Brinza, D., Brunet, C., Brunner, A., Brunner, W., Buch, A., Bullock, M., Burmeister, S., Cabane, M., Calef, F., Cameron, J., Cantor, B., Caplinger, M., Rodriguez, J. C., Carmosino, M., Blazquez, I. C., Charpentier, A., Choi, D., Clark, B., Clegg, S., Cleghorn, T., Cloutis, E., Cody, G., Coll, P., Conrad, P., Coscia, D., Cousin, A., Cremers, D., Cros, A., Cucinotta, F., d'Uston, C., Davis, S., Day, M., Juarez, M. d. l. T., DeFlores, L., DeLapp, D., DeMarines, J., Dietrich, W., Dingler, R., Donny, C., Drake, D., Dromart, G., Dupont, A., Duston, B., Dworkin, J., Dyar, M. D., Edgar, L., Edwards, C., Edwards, L., Ehlmann, B., Ehresmann, B., Eigenbrode, J., Elliott, B., Elliott, H., Ewing, R., Fabre, C., Fairen, A., Farley, K., Fassett, C., Favot, L., Fay, D., Fedosov, F., Feldman, J., Feldman, S., Fitzgibbon, M., Flesch, G., Floyd, M., Fluckiger, L., Fraeman, A., Francis, R., Francois, P., Franz, H., French, K. L., Frydenvang, J., Gaboriaud, A., Gailhanou, M., Garvin, J., Geffroy, C., Genzer, M., Godber, A., Goesmann, F., Golovin, D., Gomez, F. G., Gomez-Elvira, J., Gondet, B., Gordon, S., Gorevan, S., Grant, J., Griffes, J., Grinspoon, D., Guillemot, P., Guo, J., Gupta, S., Guzewich, S., Haberle, R., Halleaux, D., Hallet, B., Hamilton, V., Hardgrove, C., Harker, D., Harpold, D., Harri, A.-M., Harshman, K., Hassler, D., Haukka, H., Hayes, A., Herkenhoff, K., Herrera, P., Hettrich, S., Heydari, E., Hipkin, V., Hoehler, T., Hollingsworth, J., Hudgins, J., Huntress, W., Hurowitz, J., Hviid, S., Iagnemma, K., Indyk, S., Israel, G., Jackson, R., Jacob, S., Jakosky, B., Jensen, E., Jensen, J. K., Johnson, J., Johnson, M., Johnstone, S., Jones, A., Jones, J., Joseph, J., Jun, I., Kahanpaa, H., Kahre, M., Karpushkina, N., Kasprzak, W., Kauhanen, J., Keely, L., Kemppinen, O., Keymeulen, D., Kim, M.-H., Kinch, K., King, P., Kirkland, L., Koefoed, A., Kohler, J., Kortmann, O., Kozyrev, A., Krezoski, J., Krysak, D., Kuzmin, R., Lacour, J. L., Lafaille, V., Langevin, Y., Lanza, N., Lasue, J., Le Mouelic, S., Lee, E. M., Lee, Q.-M., Lees, D., Lefavor, M., Lemmon, M., Lepinette Malvitte, A., Leveille, R., Lewin-Carpintier, E., Li, S., Lipkaman, L., Little, C., Litvak, M., Lorigny, E., Lugmair, G., Lundberg, A., Lyness, E., Maki, J., Malakhov, A., Malespin, C., Malin, M., Mangold, N., Manning, H., Marchand, G., Marin Jimenez, M., Martin Garcia, C., Martin, D., Martin, M., Martinez-Frias, J., Martin-Soler, J., Martin-Torres, F. J., Mauchien, P., McAdam, A., McCartney, E., McConnochie, T., McCullough, E., McEwan, I., McKay, C., McNair, S., Melikechi, N., Meyer, M., Mezzacappa, A., Miller, H., Miller, K., Milliken, R., Minitti, M., Mischna, M., Mitrofanov, I., Moersch, J., Mokrousov, M., Molina Jurado, A., Moores, J., Mora-Sotomayor, L., Morookian, J. M., Mueller-Mellin, R., Muller, J.-P., Munoz Caro, G., Nachon, M., Navarro Lopez, S., Nealson, K., Nefian, A., Nelson, T., Newcombe, M., Newman, C., Newsom, H., Nikiforov, S., Niles, P., Nixon, B., Dobrea, E. N., Nolan, T., Oehler, D., Ollila, A., Olson, T., Owen, T., Pablo, H., Paillet, A., Pallier, E., Palucis, M., Parker, T., Parot, Y., Patel, K., Paton, M., Paulsen, G., Pavlov, A., Pavri, B., Peinado-Gonzalez, V., Pepin, R., Peret, L., Perez, R., Perrett, G., Peterson, J., Pilorget, C., Pinet, P., Pla-Garcia, J., Plante, I., Poitrasson, F., Polkko, J., Popa, R., Posiolova, L., Pradler, I., Prats, B., Prokhorov, V., Purdy, S. W., Raaen, E., Radziemski, L., Rafkin, S., Ramos, M., Raulin, F., Ravine, M., Reitz, G., Renno, N., Rice, M., Richardson, M., Robert, F., Rodriguez Manfredi, J. A., Romeral-Planello, J. J., Rowland, S., Saccoccio, M., Salamon, A., Sandoval, J., Sanin, A., Sans Fuentes, S. A., Saper, L., Sautter, V., Savijarvi, H., Schieber, J., Schmidt, W., Scholes, D., Schoppers, M., Schroder, S., Sebastian Martinez, E., Sengstacken, A., Shterts, R., Siebach, K., Siili, T., Simmonds, J., Sirven, J.-B., Slavney, S., Sletten, R., Smith, M., Sobron Sanchez, P., Spanovich, N., Spray, J., Squyres, S., Stack, K., Stalport, F., Stein, T., Stern, J., Stewart, N., Stipp, S. L. S., Stoiber, K., Sucharski, B., Summons, R., Sun, V., Supulver, K., Sutter, B., Szopa, C., Tate, C., Teinturier, S., ten Kate, I. L., Thomas, P., Thompson, L., Tokar, R., Toplis, M., Torres Redondo, J., Trainer, M., Tretyakov, V., Urqui-O'Callaghan, R., Van Beek, J., Van Beek, T., VanBommel, S., Varenikov, A., Vasavada, A., Vasconcelos, P., Vicenzi, E., Vostrukhin, A., Voytek, M., Wadhwa, M., Ward, J., Webster, C., Weigle, E., Wellington, D., Westall, F., Wiens, R. C., Wilhelm, M. B., Williams, A., Williams, J., Williams, R., Williams, R. B., Wilson, M., Wimmer-Schweingruber, R., Wolff, M., Wong, M., Wray, J., Wu, M., Yana, C., Zeitlin, C., Zimdar, R., Zorzano Mier, M.-P., GeoRessources, Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre de recherches sur la géologie des matières premières minérales et énergétiques (CREGU)-Université de Lorraine (UL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), NASA, Department of Geological Sciences [Austin], Jackson School of Geosciences (JSG), University of Texas at Austin [Austin]-University of Texas at Austin [Austin], Department of Geology [Tucson], University of Arizona, Department of Geological Sciences [Bloomington], Indiana University [Bloomington], Indiana University System-Indiana University System, Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), NWO-NSO: The role of perchlorates in the preservation of organic compounds on Mars, and Petrology

Subjects
Basalt, Meridiani Planum, Multidisciplinary, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Curiosity rover, Geochemistry, Mars, [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences, Mars Exploration Program, Exploration of Mars, 01 natural sciences, Astrobiology, Impact crater, 13. Climate action, MSL Mars Gale Crater Rocknest, Rocknest, 0103 physical sciences, Sample Analysis at Mars, Aeolian processes, MSL, Rocknest aeolian deposit, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Geology, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

The Rocknest aeolian deposit is similar to aeolian features analyzed by the Mars Exploration Rovers (MERs) Spirit and Opportunity. The fraction of sand

Published
2013
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3. Volatile, Isotope, and Organic Analysis of Martian Fines with the Mars Curiosity Rover

Author

Leshin, L. A., Mahaffy, P. R., Webster, C. R., Cabane, M., Coll, P., Conrad, P. G., Archer, P. D., Atreya, S. K., Brunner, A. E., Buch, A., Eigenbrode, J. L., Flesch, G. J., Franz, H. B., Freissinet, C., Glavin, D. P., McAdam, A. C., Miller, K. E., Ming, D. W., Morris, R. V., Navarro-Gonzalez, R., Niles, P. B., Owen, T., Pepin, R. O., Squyres, S., Steele, A., Stern, J. C., Summons, R. E., Sumner, D. Y., Sutter, B., Szopa, C., Teinturier, S., Trainer, M. G., Wray, J. J., Grotzinger, J. P., Kemppinen, O., Bridges, N., Johnson, J. R., Minitti, M., Cremers, D., Bell, J. F., Edgar, L., Farmer, J., Godber, A., Wadhwa, M., Wellington, D., McEwan, I., Newman, C., Richardson, M., Charpentier, A., Peret, L., King, P., Blank, J., Weigle, G., Schmidt, M., Li, S., Milliken, R., Robertson, K., Sun, V., Baker, M., Edwards, C., Ehlmann, B., Farley, K., Griffes, J., Miller, H., Newcombe, M., Pilorget, C., Rice, M., Siebach, K., Stack, K., Stolper, E., Brunet, C., Hipkin, V., Leveille, R., Marchand, G., Sanchez, P. S., Favot, L., Cody, G., Fluckiger, L., Lees, D., Nefian, A., Martin, M., Gailhanou, M., Westall, F., Israel, G., Agard, C., Baroukh, J., Donny, C., Gaboriaud, A., Guillemot, P., Lafaille, V., Lorigny, E., Paillet, A., Perez, R., Saccoccio, M., Yana, C., Armiens-Aparicio, C., Rodriguez, J. C., Blazquez, I. C., Gomez, F. G., Gomez-Elvira, J., Hettrich, S., Malvitte, A. L., Jimenez, M. M., Martinez-Frias, J., Martin-Soler, J., Martin-Torres, F. J., Jurado, A. M., Mora-Sotomayor, L., Caro, G. M., Lopez, S. N., Peinado-Gonzalez, V., Pla-Garcia, J., Manfredi, J. A. R., Romeral-Planello, J. J., Fuentes, S. A. S., Martinez, E. S., Redondo, J. T., Urqui-O'Callaghan, R., Mier, M.-P. Z., Chipera, S., Lacour, J.-L., Mauchien, P., Sirven, J.-B., Manning, H., Fairen, A., Hayes, A., Joseph, J., Sullivan, R., Thomas, P., Dupont, A., Lundberg, A., Melikechi, N., Mezzacappa, A., DeMarines, J., Grinspoon, D., Reitz, G., Prats, B., Atlaskin, E., Genzer, M., Harri, A.-M., Haukka, H., Kahanpaa, H., Kauhanen, J., Paton, M., Polkko, J., Schmidt, W., Siili, T., Fabre, C., Wilhelm, M. B., Poitrasson, F., Patel, K., Gorevan, S., Indyk, S., Paulsen, G., Gupta, S., Bish, D., Schieber, J., Gondet, B., Langevin, Y., Geffroy, C., Baratoux, D., Berger, G., Cros, A., d'Uston, C., Forni, O., Gasnault, O., Lasue, J., Lee, Q.-M., Maurice, S., Meslin, P.-Y., Pallier, E., Parot, Y., Pinet, P., Schroder, S., Toplis, M., Lewin, E., Brunner, W., Heydari, E., Achilles, C., Oehler, D., Coscia, D., Dromart, G., Robert, F., Sautter, V., Le Mouelic, S., Mangold, N., Nachon, M., Stalport, F., Francois, P., Raulin, F., Cameron, J., Clegg, S., Cousin, A., DeLapp, D., Dingler, R., Jackson, R. S., Johnstone, S., Lanza, N., Little, C., Nelson, T., Wiens, R. C., Williams, R. B., Jones, A., Kirkland, L., Treiman, A., Baker, B., Cantor, B., Caplinger, M., Davis, S., Duston, B., Edgett, K., Fay, D., Hardgrove, C., Harker, D., Herrera, P., Jensen, E., Kennedy, M. R., Krezoski, G., Krysak, D., Lipkaman, L., Malin, M., McCartney, E., McNair, S., Nixon, B., Posiolova, L., Ravine, M., Salamon, A., Saper, L., Stoiber, K., Supulver, K., Van Beek, J., Van Beek, T., Zimdar, R., French, K. L., Iagnemma, K., Goesmann, F., Goetz, W., Hviid, S., Johnson, M., Lefavor, M., Lyness, E., Breves, E., Dyar, M. D., Fassett, C., Blake, D. F., Bristow, T., DesMarais, D., Edwards, L., Haberle, R., Hoehler, T., Hollingsworth, J., Kahre, M., Keely, L., McKay, C., Bleacher, L., Brinckerhoff, W., Choi, D., Dworkin, J. P., Floyd, M., Garvin, J., Harpold, D., Martin, D. K., Pavlov, A., Raaen, E., Smith, M. D., Tan, F., Meyer, M., Posner, A., Voytek, M., Anderson, R. C., Aubrey, A., Beegle, L. W., Behar, A., Blaney, D., Brinza, D., Calef, F., Christensen, L., Crisp, J. A., DeFlores, L., Feldman, J., Feldman, S., Hurowitz, J., Jun, I., Keymeulen, D., Maki, J., Mischna, M., Morookian, J. M., Parker, T., Pavri, B., Schoppers, M., Sengstacken, A., Simmonds, J. J., Spanovich, N., Juarez, M. d. l. T., Vasavada, A. R., Yen, A., Cucinotta, F., Jones, J. H., Rampe, E., Nolan, T., Fisk, M., Radziemski, L., Barraclough, B., Bender, S., Berman, D., Dobrea, E. N., Tokar, R., Vaniman, D., Williams, R. M. E., Yingst, A., Lewis, K., Cleghorn, T., Huntress, W., Manhes, G., Hudgins, J., Olson, T., Stewart, N., Sarrazin, P., Grant, J., Vicenzi, E., Wilson, S. A., Bullock, M., Ehresmann, B., Hamilton, V., Hassler, D., Peterson, J., Rafkin, S., Zeitlin, C., Fedosov, F., Golovin, D., Karpushkina, N., Kozyrev, A., Litvak, M., Malakhov, A., Mitrofanov, I., Mokrousov, M., Nikiforov, S., Prokhorov, V., Sanin, A., Tretyakov, V., Varenikov, A., Vostrukhin, A., Kuzmin, R., Clark, B., Wolff, M., McLennan, S., Botta, O., Drake, D., Bean, K., Lemmon, M., Schwenzer, S. P., Anderson, R. B., Herkenhoff, K., Lee, E. M., Sucharski, R., Hernandez, M. A. d. P., Avalos, J. J. B., Ramos, M., Kim, M.-H., Malespin, C., Plante, I., Muller, J.-P., Ewing, R., Boynton, W., Downs, R., Fitzgibbon, M., Harshman, K., Morrison, S., Dietrich, W., Kortmann, O., Palucis, M., Williams, A., Lugmair, G., Wilson, M. A., Rubin, D., Jakosky, B., Balic-Zunic, T., Frydenvang, J., Jensen, J. K., Kinch, K., Koefoed, A., Madsen, M. B., Stipp, S. L. S., Boyd, N., Campbell, J. L., Gellert, R., Perrett, G., Pradler, I., VanBommel, S., Jacob, S., Rowland, S., Savijarvi, H., Boehm, E., Bottcher, S., Burmeister, S., Guo, J., Kohler, J., Garcia, C. M., Mueller-Mellin, R., Wimmer-Schweingruber, R., Bridges, J. C., McConnochie, T., Benna, M., Bower, H., Blau, H., Boucher, T., Carmosino, M., Elliott, H., Halleaux, D., Renno, N., Wong, M., Elliott, B., Spray, J., Thompson, L., Gordon, S., Newsom, H., Ollila, A., Williams, J., Vasconcelos, P., Bentz, J., Nealson, K., Popa, R., Kah, L. C., Moersch, J., Tate, C., Day, M., Kocurek, G., Hallet, B., Sletten, R., Francis, R., McCullough, E., Cloutis, E., ten Kate, I. L., Arvidson, R., Fraeman, A., Scholes, D., Slavney, S., Stein, T., Ward, J., Berger, J., Moores, J. E., Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences [Troy, NY], Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NASA-California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), PLANETO - LATMOS, Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA (UMR_7583)), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne - Paris 12 (UPEC UP12)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES), NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), NASA-NASA, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences [Ann Arbor] (AOSS), University of Michigan [Ann Arbor], University of Michigan System-University of Michigan System, Department of Astronomy [College Park], University of Maryland [College Park], University of Maryland System-University of Maryland System, Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés et Matériaux - EA 4038 (LGPM), CentraleSupélec, Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology [GSFC] (CRESST), Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences [MIT, Cambridge] (EAPS), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Laboratorio de Química de Plasmas y Estudios Planetarios [Mexico], Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares [Mexico], Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México = National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México = National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Institute for Astronomy [Honolulu], University of Hawai‘i [Mānoa] (UHM), School of Physics and Astronomy [Minneapolis], University of Minnesota [Twin Cities] (UMN), University of Minnesota System-University of Minnesota System, Cornell University [New York], Geophysical Laboratory [Carnegie Institution], Carnegie Institution for Science, University of California [Davis] (UC Davis), University of California (UC), Jacobs Technology ESCG, Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL), École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences [Atlanta], Georgia Institute of Technology [Atlanta], Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences [Pasadena], California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), NWO-NSO: The role of perchlorates in the preservation of organic compounds on Mars, Petrology, California Institute of Technology (CALTECH)-NASA, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Carnegie Institution for Science [Washington], University of California, École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS Paris), IMPEC - LATMOS, Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne - Paris 12 (UPEC UP12)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of Minnesota [Twin Cities], Cornell University, and École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS Paris)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École polytechnique (X)

Subjects
Martian, Multidisciplinary, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, [PHYS.ASTR.EP]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Earth and Planetary Astrophysics [astro-ph.EP], Thermal decomposition, Curiosity rover, [SDU.ASTR.EP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Earth and Planetary Astrophysics [astro-ph.EP], chemistry.chemical_element, Mars, organic analysis, Mars Exploration Program, 01 natural sciences, Astrobiology, chemistry.chemical_compound, chemistry, 13. Climate action, Isotopes of carbon, Rocknest, 0103 physical sciences, Sample Analysis at Mars, Carbonate, MSL Mars Volatiles Isotopes Organics Soil Gale Crater, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Carbon, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

Samples from the Rocknest aeolian deposit were heated to ~835°C under helium flow and evolved gases analyzed by Curiosity’s Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite. H 2 O, SO 2 , CO 2 , and O 2 were the major gases released. Water abundance (1.5 to 3 weight percent) and release temperature suggest that H 2 O is bound within an amorphous component of the sample. Decomposition of fine-grained Fe or Mg carbonate is the likely source of much of the evolved CO 2 . Evolved O 2 is coincident with the release of Cl, suggesting that oxygen is produced from thermal decomposition of an oxychloride compound. Elevated δD values are consistent with recent atmospheric exchange. Carbon isotopes indicate multiple carbon sources in the fines. Several simple organic compounds were detected, but they are not definitively martian in origin.

Published
2013
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4. The ORIGIN Space Instrument for Detecting Biosignatures and Habitability Indicators on a Venus Life Finder Mission.

Author

Ligterink, Niels F. W., Kipfer, Kristina A., Gruchola, Salome, Boeren, Nikita J., Keresztes Schmidt, Peter, de Koning, Coenraad P., Tulej, Marek, Wurz, Peter, and Riedo, Andreas

Subjects
VENUSIAN atmosphere, VENUS (Planet), POLYCYCLIC aromatic hydrocarbons, LASER ablation, MASS spectrometers, SPACE exploration
Abstract

Recent and past observations of chemical and physical peculiarities in the atmosphere of Venus have renewed speculations about the existence of life in its clouds. To find signs of Venusian life, a dedicated astrobiological space exploration mission is required, and for this reason the Venus Life Finder mission is currently being prepared. A Venus Life Finder mission will require dedicated and specialized instruments to hunt for biosignatures and habitability indicators. In this contribution, we present the ORIGIN space instrument, a laser desorption/laser ablation ionization mass spectrometer. This instrument is designed to detect large, non-volatile molecules, specifically biomolecules such as amino acids and lipids. At the same time, it can also be used in ablation mode for elemental composition analysis. Recent studies with this space prototype instrument of amino acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lipids, salts, metals, sulphur isotopes, and microbial elemental composition are discussed in the context of studies of biosignatures and habitability indicators in Venus's atmosphere. The implementation of the ORIGIN instrument into a Venus Life Finder mission is discussed, emphasizing the low weight and low power consumption of the instrument. An instrument design and sample handling system are presented that make optimal use of the capabilities of this instrument. ORIGIN is a highly versatile instrument with proven capabilities to investigate and potentially resolve many of the outstanding questions about the atmosphere of Venus and the presence of life in its clouds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2022
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5. Mission Overview and Scientific Contributions from the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover After Eight Years of Surface Operations.

Author

Vasavada, Ashwin R.

Subjects
SCIENTIFIC apparatus & instruments, LABORATORIES, MARS (Planet), GALE Crater (Mars), HUMAN space flight, ATMOSPHERIC methane
Abstract

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, with its Curiosity rover, has been exploring Gale crater (5.4° S, 137.8° E) since 2012 with the goal of assessing the potential of Mars to support life. The mission has compiled compelling evidence that the crater basin accumulated sediment transported by marginal rivers into lakes that likely persisted for millions of years approximately 3.6 Ga ago in the early Hesperian. Geochemical and mineralogical assessments indicate that environmental conditions within this timeframe would have been suitable for sustaining life, if it ever were present. Fluids simultaneously circulated in the subsurface and likely existed through the dry phases of lake bed exposure and aeolian deposition, conceivably creating a continuously habitable subsurface environment that persisted to less than 3 Ga in the early Amazonian. A diversity of organic molecules has been preserved, though degraded, with evidence for more complex precursors. Solid samples show highly variable isotopic abundances of sulfur, chlorine, and carbon. In situ studies of modern wind-driven sediment transport and multiple large and active aeolian deposits have led to advances in understanding bedform development and the initiation of saltation. Investigation of the modern atmosphere and environment has improved constraints on the timing and magnitude of atmospheric loss, revealed the presence of methane and the crater's influence on local meteorology, and provided measurements of high-energy radiation at Mars' surface in preparation for future crewed missions. Rover systems and science instruments remain capable of addressing all key scientific objectives. Emphases on advance planning, flexibility, operations support work, and team culture have allowed the mission team to maintain a high level of productivity in spite of declining rover power and funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2022
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6. Distribution characteristics of lipids from salt sediments in Qaidam Basin and their astrobiological significance.

Author

Cheng, Ziye, Xiao, Long, Wang, Hongmei, and Huang, Ting

Subjects
UNSATURATED fatty acids, ACYCLIC acids, SALT, FATTY acids, SEDIMENTS
Abstract

On Earth, salt environments are the most relevant analogues to Martian salt deposits with regard to the search for preserved biomolecules. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of lipids in salt samples from Dalangtan and Qarhan in the Qaidam Basin, which is the most important area to carry out analog research of Mars in China. Furthermore, we compared the lipids distribution results with that from other typical Martian analog sites such as the Atacama Desert. Salt samples in the Qaidam Basin are enriched with fatty acid compounds, including normal fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, branched fatty acids, and acyclic isoprene acids. In addtion, glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) and archaeol compounds were also detected in these salt samples. Compared with the hypersaline samples, the clay samples not only have higher abuandance of fatty acids, GDGTs and archaeol compounds, but also a more diversed lipids composition. Only a few lipids were detected in the pure-saline samples, such as archaeol compounds. These clues suggest that content of salt minerals is the major factor affecting the distribution of lipids. This study provides an analogy for detecting and evaluating the traces of life that may exist on Mars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2022
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7. IN SITU MASS SPECTROMETERS FOR APPLICATIONS IN SPACE.

Author

Vazquez, Timothy, Vuppala, Sinduri, Ayodeji, Ifeoluwa, Song, Linxia, Grimes, Nathan, and Evans‐Nguyen, Theresa

Subjects
IMPACT ionization, COSMIC dust, MASS spectrometers, CHURYUMOV-Gerasimenko comet, SOLAR system, MASS spectrometry, ASTROBIOLOGY, SOLAR wind
Abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS) has played a remarkable role in exploring the chemical make‐up of our solar system. In situ probes were historically developed to analyze inorganic/elemental compositions while leveraging native ions or harsh ionization methods to aid in exploring astrophysics applications (e.g., heliophysics). The part played by MS is demonstrated in a majority of scientific payloads focused on exploration, particularly at the turn of the century with missions including Cassini‐Huygens, Rosetta, and now Mars Science Laboratory. Plasma mass spectrometers have grown more sophisticated to interrogate fundamental inorganic analysis (e.g., solar wind and magnetospheres) including both native ions and neutrals. Cosmic dust floating in‐between and orbiting planetary bodies has been targeted by unique sampling via impact ionization. More complex systems rely on landed planetary instrumentation with lessons learned from pioneering missions in the 1970s and 1980s to near neighbors Mars and Venus. Modern probes have expanded applicable target chemicals by recognizing the needs to provide for molecular analyses, extended mass range, and high resolution to provide unequivocal detection and identification. Notably, as the field surrounding astrobiology has gained momentum, so has the in situ detection of complex molecular chemistry including the chemical evolution of organic molecules. Mission context often includes long term timelines from spacecraft launch to arrival and additionally the diverse target environments across various planets. Therefore, customized experimental designs for space MS have been born of necessity. To this point, the development of MS instrumentation on Earth has now far outpaced development for experiments in space. Therefore, exciting developments lie ahead among various international space agencies conducting current and future mission planning with increasingly enhanced instrumentation. For instance, near‐neighbor Mars has entertained considerable attention with complex MS instrumentation with laser desorption ionization aboard the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer instrument. To study comets, the Rosetta mission employs a secondary ionization mechanism. Meanwhile, the various moons of Jupiter and Saturn have intriguing surface and subsurface properties that warrant more advanced analyzer systems. Instrumentation design will continue to evolve as requirements develop and this review serves as a reflection of the contribution of in situ MS to space exploration in the past 20 years and the anticipated contribution yet to come. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mass Spec Rev [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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8. Mars 2020 Mission Overview.

Author

Farley, Kenneth A., Williford, Kenneth H., Stack, Kathryn M., Bhartia, Rohit, Chen, Al, de la Torre, Manuel, Hand, Kevin, Goreva, Yulia, Herd, Christopher D. K., Hueso, Ricardo, Liu, Yang, Maki, Justin N., Martinez, German, Moeller, Robert C., Nelessen, Adam, Newman, Claire E., Nunes, Daniel, Ponce, Adrian, Spanovich, Nicole, and Willis, Peter A.

Abstract

The Mars 2020 mission will seek the signs of ancient life on Mars and will identify, prepare, document, and cache a set of samples for possible return to Earth by a follow-on mission. Mars 2020 and its Perseverance rover thus link and further two long-held goals in planetary science: a deep search for evidence of life in a habitable extraterrestrial environment, and the return of martian samples to Earth for analysis in terrestrial laboratories. The Mars 2020 spacecraft is based on the design of the highly successful Mars Science Laboratory and its Curiosity rover, but outfitted with a sophisticated suite of new science instruments. Ground-penetrating radar will illuminate geologic structures in the shallow subsurface, while a multi-faceted weather station will document martian environmental conditions. Several instruments can be used individually or in tandem to map the color, texture, chemistry, and mineralogy of rocks and regolith at the meter scale and at the submillimeter scale. The science instruments will be used to interpret the geology of the landing site, to identify habitable paleoenvironments, to seek ancient textural, elemental, mineralogical and organic biosignatures, and to locate and characterize the most promising samples for Earth return. Once selected, ∼35 samples of rock and regolith weighing about 15 grams each will be drilled directly into ultraclean and sterile sample tubes. Perseverance will also collect blank sample tubes to monitor the evolving rover contamination environment. In addition to its scientific instruments, Perseverance hosts technology demonstrations designed to facilitate future Mars exploration. These include a device to generate oxygen gas by electrolytic decomposition of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and a small helicopter to assess performance of a rotorcraft in the thin martian atmosphere. Mars 2020 entry, descent, and landing (EDL) will use the same approach that successfully delivered Curiosity to the martian surface, but with several new features that enable the spacecraft to land at previously inaccessible landing sites. A suite of cameras and a microphone will for the first time capture the sights and sounds of EDL. Mars 2020’s landing site was chosen to maximize scientific return of the mission for astrobiology and sample return. Several billion years ago Jezero crater held a 40 km diameter, few hundred-meter-deep lake, with both an inflow and an outflow channel. A prominent delta, fine-grained lacustrine sediments, and carbonate-bearing rocks offer attractive targets for habitability and for biosignature preservation potential. In addition, a possible volcanic unit in the crater and impact megabreccia in the crater rim, along with fluvially-deposited clasts derived from the large and lithologically diverse headwaters terrain, contribute substantially to the science value of the sample cache for investigations of the history of Mars and the Solar System. Even greater diversity, including very ancient aqueously altered rocks, is accessible in a notional rover traverse that ascends out of Jezero crater and explores the surrounding Nili Planum. Mars 2020 is conceived as the first element of a multi-mission Mars Sample Return campaign. After Mars 2020 has cached the samples, a follow-on mission consisting of a fetch rover and a rocket could retrieve and package them, and then launch the package into orbit. A third mission could capture the orbiting package and return it to Earth. To facilitate the sample handoff, Perseverance could deposit its collection of filled sample tubes in one or more locations, called depots, on the planet’s surface. Alternatively, if Perseverance remains functional, it could carry some or all the samples directly to the retrieval spacecraft. The Mars 2020 mission and its Perseverance rover launched from the Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on July 30, 2020. Landing at Jezero Crater will occur on Feb 18, 2021 at about 12:30 PM Pacific Time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2020
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9. Detection of Macromolecules in Desert Cyanobacteria Mixed with a Lunar Mineral Analogue After Space Simulations.

Author

Baqué, Mickael, Verseux, Cyprien, Rabbow, Elke, Vera, Jean-Pierre, and Billi, Daniela

Abstract

In the context of future exposure missions in Low Earth Orbit and possibly on the Moon, two desert strains of the cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis, strains CCMEE 029 and 057, mixed or not with a lunar mineral analogue, were exposed to fractionated fluencies of UVC and polychromatic UV (200-400 nm) and to space vacuum. These experiments were carried out within the framework of the BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) project, which aims at broadening our knowledge of mineral-microorganism interaction and the stability/degradation of their macromolecules when exposed to space and simulated Martian conditions. The presence of mineral analogues provided a protective effect, preserving survivability and integrity of DNA and photosynthetic pigments, as revealed by testing colony-forming abilities, performing PCR-based assays and using confocal laser scanning microscopy. In particular, DNA and pigments were still detectable after 500 kJ/m of polychromatic UV and space vacuum (10 Pa), corresponding to conditions expected during one-year exposure in Low Earth Orbit on board the EXPOSE-R2 platform in the presence of 0.1 % Neutral Density (ND) filter. After exposure to high UV fluencies (800 MJ/m) in the presence of minerals, however, altered fluorescence emission spectrum of the photosynthetic pigments were detected, whereas DNA was still amplified by PCR. The present paper considers the implications of such findings for the detection of biosignatures in extraterrestrial conditions and for putative future lunar missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2014
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10. The Post-COVID-19 Era: Interdisciplinary Demands of Contagion Surveillance Mass Spectrometry for Future Pandemics.

Author

Giri, Chaitanya, Cleaves II, Henderson James, Meringer, Markus, and Chandru, Kuhan

Abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS) can become a potentially useful instrument type for aerosol, droplet and fomite (ADF) contagion surveillance in pandemic outbreaks, such as the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, this will require development of detection protocols and purposing of instrumentation for in situ environmental contagion surveillance. These approaches include: (1) enhancing biomarker detection by pattern recognition and machine learning; (2) the need for investigating viral degradation induced by environmental factors; (3) representing viral molecular data with multidimensional data transforms, such as van Krevelen diagrams, that can be repurposed to detect viable viruses in environmental samples; and (4) absorbing engineering attributes for developing contagion surveillance MS from those used for astrobiology and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) monitoring applications. Widespread deployment of such an MS-based contagion surveillance could help identify hot zones, create containment perimeters around them and assist in preventing the endemic-to-pandemic progression of contagious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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11. A Spectral Comparison of Jarosites Using Techniques Relevant to the Robotic Exploration of Biosignatures on Mars.

Author

Loiselle, Liane, McCraig, Michael A., Dyar, M. Darby, Léveillé, Richard, Shieh, Sean R., and Southam, Gordon

Subjects
JAROSITE, BIOSIGNATURES (Origin of life), ROBOTICS
Abstract

The acidic sulfate-rich waters of the Meridiani Planum region were potentially a habitable environment for iron-oxidizing bacteria on ancient Mars. If life existed in this ancient martian environment, jarosite minerals precipitating in these waters may record evidence of this biological activity. Since the Meridiani jarosite is thermodynamically stable at the martian surface, any biosignatures preserved in the jarosites may be readily available for analysis in the current surface sediments during the ongoing robotic exploration of Mars. However, thermal decomposition experiments indicate that organic compound detection of sediments containing jarosite may be challenging when using pyrolysis experiments; the instrument commonly used to assess organic matter in martian samples. So, here, we assess if the biogenicity of the Meridiani-type jarosites can be determined using complimentary spectroscopic techniques also utilized during the robotic exploration of Mars, including the upcoming ExoMars2020 rover mission. An abiotic jarosite, synthesized following established protocols, and a biological jarosite counterpart, derived from a microbial enrichment culture of Rio Tinto river sediments, were used to compare four spectroscopy techniques employed in the robotic exploration of Mars (Raman spectroscopy, mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy, visible near-infrared reflectance (VNIR) spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy) to determine if the complimentary information obtained using these instruments can help elucidate the biological influence of Meridiani-type jarosites. Raman spectral differences might be due to the presence of unreacted reagents in the synthetic spectra and not biological contributions. Reflectance (IR/VNIR) spectra might exhibit minor organic absorption contributions, but are observed in both sample spectra, and do not represent a biosignature. Mössbauer spectra show minor differences in fit parameters that are related to crystal morphology and are unrelated to the biological (i.e., organic) component of the system. Results of this study suggest that the identification of biosignatures in Meridiani-type jarosites using the in situ robotic exploration on Mars may be possible but will be challenging. Our work provides additional insight into extraterrestrial biosignature detection and data interpretation for Mars exploration and indicates that sample return missions are likely required to unequivocally resolve the possible biogenicity of the Meridiani sediments or other jarosite-containing sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2018
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12. Mars and the Earthlings: A Realistic View on Mars Exploration and Settlement

Author

Cyprien Verseux, Muriel Gargaud, Kirsi Lehto, Michel Viso, Cyprien Verseux, Muriel Gargaud, Kirsi Lehto, and Michel Viso

Subjects
Outer space—Exploration, Astronautics, Social structure, Equality, Welfare economics, Public law, Astrobiology, Quality of life
Abstract

In an era of public Mars fascination, this book offers an objective presentation of the challenges of crewed Mars missions and discusses scenarios of Mars settlements under scientific, technical, social, economic, ethical and political aspects. With the aim to make the reader comprehend what is plausible and what is at stake, the book tries to clarify misconceptions and half-truths spreading rapidly in the public. The authors argue that approximations and misinformation should be countered for two main reasons. First, to avoid missing out on the benefits that Mars exploration may bring, including major scientific discoveries and an inspiring, federative human endeavor. Second, to remediate dangerous delusions – such as the idea that humanity could be transferred there should the Earth become inhabitable in the near term. In preparation for this book a group of European, world-renowned scientists from fields as diverse as astronomy, planetology, geology, biology, philosophy, or economics, as well as astronauts and science-fiction writers, was gathered to discuss Mars missions ranging from near-term robotic missions, all the way to large-scale settlements and even the feasibility of terraforming. For each, they draw arguments from their domains of expertise to discuss what is feasible and what is desirable. The result provides researchers with an objective review of the field, policy makers with a reference to make informed decisions, and the general public with a tool to form educated opinions.

Published
2025

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