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The small crater Airy-0 was selected from Mariner 9 images to be the reference for the Mars prime meridian. Initial analyses in the year 2000 tied Viking Orbiter and Mars Orbiter Camera images of Airy-0 to the evolving Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter global digital terrain model to update the location of Airy-0. Based upon this tie and radiometric tracking of landers/rovers from Earth, new expressions for the Mars spin axis direction, spin rate, and prime meridian epoch value were produced to define the orientation of the Martian surface in inertial space over time. Since the Mars Global Surveyor mission and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter global digital terrain model were completed some time ago, a more exhaustive study has been performed to determine the accuracy of the Airy-0 location and orientation of Mars at the standard epoch. Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) IR image cubes of the Airy and Gale crater regions were tied to the global terrain grid using precision stereo photogrammetric image processing techniques. The Airy-0 location was determined to be about 0.001° east of its predicted location using the currently defined International Astronomical Union (IAU) prime meridian location. Information on this new location and how it was derived will be provided to the NASA Mars Exploration Program Geodesy and Cartography Working Group for their assessment. This NASA group will make a recommendation to the IAU Working Group on Cartographic Coordinates and Rotational Elements to update the expression for the Mars spin axis direction, spin rate, and prime meridian location.

We derived crater production functions and chronology functions of Phobos for two scenarios, which likely represent the end-members of its dynamical evolution. Case A assumes that Phobos has been in its current orbit about Mars since its formation. Case B assumes a recent capture of Phobos and the impact history of an average Main Belt Asteroid. We determined the age of an average surface to the west of the Stickney crater and of the interior of the Stickney crater. The results indicate (i) the formation or major collision of Phobos about 4.3 Ga (Case A) or 3.5 Ga (Case B) ago, (ii) the Stickney crater is about 4.2 Ga (Case A) or 2.6 Ga (Case B) old and (iii) grooves probably formed between 3.1 and 3.8 Ga (Case A) or 44 and 340 Ma (Case B). Thus, Stickney seems to be older than the investigated grooves on Phobos.

The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) of ESA׳s Mars Express is designed to map and investigate the topography of Mars. The camera, in particular its Super Resolution Channel (SRC), also obtains images of Phobos and Deimos on a regular basis. As HRSC is a push broom scanning instrument with nine CCD line detectors mounted in parallel, its unique feature is the ability to obtain along-track stereo images and four colors during a single orbital pass. The sub-pixel accuracy of 3D points derived from stereo analysis allows producing DTMs with grid size of up to 50 m and height accuracy on the order of one image ground pixel and better, as well as corresponding orthoimages. Such data products have been produced systematically for approximately 40% of the surface of Mars so far, while global shape models and a near-global orthoimage mosaic could be produced for Phobos. HRSC is also unique because it bridges between laser altimetry and topography data derived from other stereo imaging instruments, and provides geodetic reference data and geological context to a variety of non-stereo datasets. This paper, in addition to an overview of the status and evolution of the experiment, provides a review of relevant methods applied for 3D reconstruction and mapping, and respective achievements. We will also review the methodology of specific approaches to science analysis based on joint analysis of DTM and orthoimage information, or benefitting from high accuracy of co-registration between multiple datasets, such as studies using multi-temporal or multi-angular observations, from the fields of geomorphology, structural geology, compositional mapping, and atmospheric science. Related exemplary results from analysis of HRSC data will be discussed. After 10 years of operation, HRSC covered about 70% of the surface by panchromatic images at 10–20 m/pixel, and about 97% at better than 100 m/pixel. As the areas with contiguous coverage by stereo data are increasingly abundant, we also present original data related to the analysis of image blocks and address methodology aspects of newly established procedures for the generation of multi-orbit DTMs and image mosaics. The current results suggest that multi-orbit DTMs with grid spacing of 50 m can be feasible for large parts of the surface, as well as brightness-adjusted image mosaics with co-registration accuracy of adjacent strips on the order of one pixel, and at the highest image resolution available. These characteristics are demonstrated by regional multi-orbit data products covering the MC-11 (East) quadrangle of Mars, representing the first prototype of a new HRSC data product level.

Hydrated minerals have been detected in many martian chaos regions and chasmata, playing a major role in its past aqueous activity. Based on short wave infrared data from CRISM, imagery and elevation data, we identified and mapped hydrated minerals in Aureum Chaos to shed light on their stratigraphy and geological context. The Interior Layered Deposits (ILDs) display three stratigraphic units: The lowest unit shows massive and also layered, high-albedo monohydrated sulfate (MHS, best matching kieserite; 20–650 m thick) with intercalated hydroxylated ferric sulfates (HFSs, best matching jarosite) and ferric oxides. The overlying polyhydrated sulfate (PHS) is commonly layered (20–40 m thick), smooth to heavily fractured, of lower albedo and partially contains ferric oxides. Spectrally neutral, distinctly layered, and bumpy cap rock (40–300 m thick) forms the top. We found spectral and morphological similarities to Aram Chaos (PHS, MHS, ferric oxides; texture of ILD and cap rock) and Juventae Chasma (HFS). Besides, the phyllosilicate nontronite was found attributed to chaotic terrain as light toned fractured exposure and within dark, smooth mantling. The coexistence of sulfates and phyllosilicates indicates changes in the geochemistry of the aqueous environment. Since sulfates and phyllosilicates could be alteration products, the observed mineralogy presumably is not the original; conversions between PHS and MHS, MHS or PHS into jarosite, jarosite into iron oxides are considered. Due to its occurrence along mantling edges and on flat surfaces of MHS without textural differences, it appears that PHS is an alteration product of MHS, e.g. due to surface exposure. The facies and relative timing of sulfate formation remains undefined. However, two different formation models are considered. The first implies contemporaneous ILD and PHS deposition and diagenetic sulfate conversion (into MHS, iron oxides) due to overburden later on. This model is less conclusive than groundwater evaporation -the second model- due to the lack of a sharp PHS–MHS boundary that would indicate a diagenetic formation. Alternatively, the second model suggests subsequent sulfate formation. Groundwater would have penetrated into pre-existing sulfate-free ILD. The permeability and porosity of ILD material would have defined the rate of water absorption and sulfate precipitation (low in cap rock?), resulting in cementation of probably aeolian deposited ILDs. We think this model is more consistent and could explain ILD stratigraphy with the potential anhydrous cap rock on top. The surface age of chaotic terrain (late Hesperian) and mantling deposits (mid to late Amazonian) limit the ILD age and possibly the emplacement of sulfates. Phyllosilicates in the mantling are presumably allochthonous. Limiting the timing of in situ phyllosilicates is more complicated; they could be Noachian (excavated material, following the phyllosian era), or instead syn- or post-chaotic. A close spatial and temporal association of sulfates and phyllosilicates, in which nontronite represents the deep facies, and sulfates the evaporitic facies is known from Earth and is also possible and would combine groundwater alteration with the observed mineralogy. The preservation of nontronite, HFS and MHS probably reflects a relatively dry environment with intermittent aqueous activity since their emplacement.

The Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) acquired 370 high-resolution images ( http://ciclops.org/maps 〉 and the Planetary Data System 〈 http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov 〉. This atlas completes the series of the atlases of the Saturnian medium-sized satellites Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, and Iapetus.

Statistical analysis of crater size-frequency distributions (CSFDs) of impact craters on planetary surfaces is a well-established method to derive absolute ages on the basis of remotely-sensed image data. Although modelling approaches and the derivation of absolute ages from a given CSFD have been described and discussed in considerable depth since the late 1960s, there is no standardised methodology or guideline for the measurement of impact-crater diameters and area sizes that are both needed to determine absolute ages correctly. Distortions of distances (i.e., diameters) and areas within different map projections are considerable error sources during crater and area measurements. In order to address this problem and to minimize such errors, a software extension for Environmental Systems Research Institute's (ESRI's) ArcMap (ArcGIS) has been developed measuring CSFDs on planetary surfaces independently of image and data frame map projections, which can also be theoretically transferred to every Geographic Information System (GIS) capable of working with different map projections. Using this new approach each digitized impact crater is internally projected to a stereographic map projection with the crater's central-point set as the projection center. In this projection, the circle is defined without any distortion of its shape (i.e., conformality). Using a sinusoidal map projection with a center longitude set to the crater's central-point, the diameter of the impact crater is measured along this central meridian which is true-scale and does not show any distortion. The crater is re-projected to the map projection of the current data frame and stored as vector geometry with attributes. Output from this workflow comprises correct impact-crater diameters and area sizes in sinusoidal map projections and can be used for further processing, i.e. absolute age determinations (e.g., using the software CraterStats). The ArcMap toolbar CraterTools developed in this context significantly helps to improve and simplify the crater size-frequency (CSF) measurement process. For GIS-based measurements, we strongly recommend our procedure as the standard method for determining CSFDs on planetary surfaces to minimize map distortion effects for further analysis.

Tharsis Tholus, a more than 3.9 Ga old composite shield volcano to the east of the major Tharsis Montes, has experienced a complex history of growth and destruction. On the basis of new high resolution images we analysed the morphology as well as the tectonic structures of the Tharsis Tholus volcano in detail. From morphological data, cross-cutting relations of the surface structures, and crater modelling ages we propose a chronostratigraphy for the volcano-tectonic history of Tharsis Tholus. The strongly faulted volcano reveals two large-scale landslide events followed by two subsequent shield re-growth phases between 3.8 and 1.7 Ga and two caldera collapses. Tharsis Tholus was also affected by regional extensional tectonics between 1.7 Ga and 0.4 Ga recorded by sub-parallel sets of NE trending graben structures. The steep and up to 5.4 km high landslide scarps on Tharsis Tholus suggest deep faulting of the edifice. In order to confirm this hypothesis we used analogue sand box models in which we demonstrated that gravitational flank movement on top of weak basal substrata may have produced the deformation structures as observed on Tharsis Tholus. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A systematic survey was undertaken and an investigation carried out into the geomorphological characteristics of lobate debris aprons in the Tempe Terra region of Mars. Based on the most recent high-resolution (sub 15 m per pixel) imagery and on new topography data, this study endeavoured to raise and discuss questions regarding their formation (emplacement) and modification (deformation sequence), as well as the role of a mantling deposit found at mid-latitude locations on Mars. Furthermore, a model for the formation of debris aprons in the Tempe Terra–Mareotis Fossae settings is proposed. Image survey, in combination with basic morphometric observations within a geomorphological context, provided additional insights into the source, emplacement and modification of hillslope debris material. Our results imply that lobate debris aprons are not mainly relicts of remnant degradation but are substantially composed of mantling material probably deposited episodically in the course of planetary obliquity changes and over a long timespan, as derived erosion rates suggest. Crater-size frequency statistics and the derivation of absolute ages show ages of sub-recent modification and document earlier resurfacing events.

Martian gullies show morphologic characteristics that indicate the presence of a flowing liquid during their formation process. However, the current climate in the northern hemisphere of Mars does not allow the existence of substantial amounts of liquid water and, therefore, an assessment of the regional distribution and characteristics of gullies is required in order to understand the most recent climatic development of Mars. We examined High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and Mars Orbiter Camera—Narrow Angle (MOC-NA) data covering the northern hemisphere in order to determine the distribution, geological setting and orientation of gullied slopes. We used these results to test the consistency of formation models proposed in earlier works and to define the climate dependence. Gully orientations were analyzed only at impact crater walls, because craters have an azimuthally uniform distribution of slopes. This is ideal when investigating the influence of insolation on the distribution and development of landforms. We examined 230 HRSC and ~ 21,000 MOC-NA images and identified more than 2200 gullies on HRSC and more than 3100 gullies in MOC-NA data. Both surveys show the highest densities of gullies between 35°N and 55°N and a shift of gully orientation at 40°N from pole-facing slopes to slopes facing the equator. Orientation trends as well as the latitudinal distribution of identified gullies strongly support the view of gully formation caused by insolation/climatic conditions. This result suggests that formation mechanisms based on the assumption of atmospheric water-ice deposition proposed in earlier work are more likely than processes related to groundwater flow. Further support for a theory related to deposition is gained through observation of the high occurrence of gullies at isolated knobs and hills, which cannot be associated with formation models based upon groundwater flow.

We have investigated 12 prominent regions on Mars in detail with respect to their geologic evolution through time on the basis of detailed geologic mapping exercises and determining age relationships through crater counting techniques using imagery. New data in combination with previously obtained data have been analyzed by way of a refined method of cratering age extraction that also gives fine details of periods of resurfacing. We have found that there has been volcanic and fluvial/glacial geologic activity on the Martian surface at all times from > 4 Ga ago until today. This activity shows episodic pulses in intensity of both volcanic and fluvial/glacial processes at ~ 3.8–3.3 Ga, 2.0–1.8 Ga, 1.6 to 1.2 Ga, ~ 800 to 300 m.y., ~ 200 m.y., and ~ 100 m.y., and a possible weaker phase around ~ 2.5–2.2 Ga ago. In between these episodes, there was relative quiescence of volcanic and/or fluvial/glacial activity. The episodes we find on the Martian surface in the crater frequency analyses of HRSC, MOC and THEMIS data coincide with some age groups of the Martian meteorites (~ 1.3 Ga, ~ 600–300 m.y., ~ 170 m.y.). It appears that the surface activity expressions and their episodicity are related to the interior evolution of the planet when convection in the asymptotic stationary state changes from the so-called stagnant-lid regime to an episodic behavior. Similarities in episodic behavior are found for the other terrestrial planets: Venus, the Earth's moon, and the Earth itself suggesting a common general relationship in the evolutionary tracks.

Four prominent fluvial systems, Dao, Niger, and Harmakhis Valles, and a system of smaller channels between Niger and Harmakhis Valles characterize a wide topographic trough that connects Hesperia Planum and Hellas Planitia (Hesperia–Hellas trough, HHT). The source depressions of the canyons of Dao and Harmakhis Valles are at the lowermost level (about − 5.4 km and lower), the system of Niger Vallis is at medium elevation (about − 3 to − 4 km), and the small channels occur at the highest topographic levels (about − 2.5 to − 3.2 km). All systems are among the youngest features in the region. They formed due to the release of subsurface water and apparently have their sources at different topographic levels below or within the layered suite of volcanic deposits in HHT. Two scenarios can explain the subsurface nature of their sources: (1) flow of liquid ground water from extensive watershed toward the source areas and accumulation of water there and (2) deposition of ice-bearing materials in and around the sources. The first scenario requires the existence of extensive confining layers at different topographic levels corresponding to the levels of the floors of the canyons/channels. Because the presence of such confining layers on Mars is problematic, we consider the first scenario to be less likely. We believe that the deposition of ice-bearing materials at different levels during the growth of the lava plateau in HHT can better explain the key features of the fluvial systems: the subsurface nature of the sources and the relatively young age. In this scenario, the higher topographic position of the ice-bearing deposits corresponds to the younger age of deposition. The possible accumulations of ice were buried by successive volcanic deposits, including lava flows in HHT and later were heated from below by magmatic intrusions that caused melting of the icy deposits, release of water, and formation of the fluvial structures.

We describe the procedure to fit a cumulative production function polynomial to a partial crater size–frequency distribution. The technique is of particular use in deriving ages for surfaces which have undergone partial resurfacing events: namely, erosional or depositional events which have affected a limited diameter range of the crater population. We demonstrate its use in obtaining times for both the surface formation and the resurfacing event. We give a practical outline of the method for making age measurements from crater counts and how to identify resurfacing effects in the results. We discuss the conversion of production function polynomials between common presentations, and the statistical uncertainty of the determined ages with respect to the non-linear chronology function, and a minor refinement of data binning.

An improved technique is presented to determine more accurately deposit thicknesses of any surface units using crater size-frequency distributions (CSFDs). This new approach enables thickness estimates of deposits that completely cover their underlying unit, i.e., where no flooded craters are observed. Here, the crater populations of the unit of interest and its underlying unit (or a representative surface area) are measured and their cratering model ages determined. The CSFD of the younger unit is then treated as if it had the same age as the older unit and the expected cumulative numbers of craters for each bin size are calculated. The crater deficiency for each bin size is then determined by subtracting the expected cumulative crater number from the observed cumulative crater number per bin. The probability is calculated such that the crater deficiency corresponds to the age of the older, underlying unit. The crater bin size where we are 95% confident that these craters are there but just covered by the younger unit is chosen to derive the deposit thickness value using known crater diameter-rim height relationships. We demonstrate the use of the method at two sites of different scales and settings on Mars: Pickering crater and Lunae Planum, and compare our estimates with those obtained by other methods. For the Lunae Planum area a significantly higher minimum thickness of > 840 m is predicted.

The morphology of fluvial valleys on Mars provides insight into surface and subsurface hydrology, as well as to Mars’ past climate. In this study, Naktong Vallis and its tributaries were examined from high-resolution stereoscopic camera (HRSC) images, thermal emission imaging system (THEMIS) daytime IR images, and mars orbiter laser altimeter (MOLA) data. Naktong Vallis is the southern part of a very large fluvial basin composed by Mamers, Scamander, and Naktong Vallis with a total length of 4700 km, and is one of the largest fluvial system on Mars. Naktong Vallis incised along its path a series of smooth intercrater plains. Naktong's main valley cut smooth plains during the Early Hesperian period, estimated ∼3.6–3.7 Gyr, implying a young age for the valley when compared to usual Noachian-aged valley networks. Branching valleys located in degraded terrains south of the main Naktong valley have sources inside a large plateau located at more than 2000 m elevation. Connections between these valleys and Naktong Vallis have been erased by the superimposition of late intercrater plains of Early to Late Hesperian age, but it is likely that this plateau represents the main source of water. Small re-incisions of these late plains show that there was at least one local reactivation. In addition, valley heads are often amphitheatre-shaped. Despite the possibility of subsurface flows, the occurrence of many branching valleys upstream of Naktong's main valley indicate that runoff may have played an important role in Naktong Vallis network formation. The importance of erosional landforms in the Naktong Vallis network indicates that fluvial activity was important and not necessarily lower in the Early Hesperian epoch than during the Noachian period. The relationships between overland flows and sapping features suggest a strong link between the two processes, rather than a progressive shift from surface to subsurface flow.

The Cassini imaging science subsystem (ISS) acquired 449 high-resolution images ( http://ciclops.org/maps ].

ESA's Mars Express has successfully completed its nominal mission of one Martian year covering about 25% of the surface in stereo and color with resolutions up to 10 m/pixel by its high-resolution stereo camera (HRSC). Mars Express is now in its extended mission phase, during which much of the remaining part of the Martian surface is envisaged to be covered in stereo and color. The HRSC instrument is designed to map the morphology, topography, structure and geologic context of the surface as well as atmospheric phenomena. This paper discusses the measurement principles and operations of the instrument as well as the acquisition, calibration and processing of regional and global data sets. As HRSC is a push-broom scanning instrument with nine CCD line detectors mounted in parallel on a focal plane, its unique feature is the ability to obtain near-simultaneous imaging data at high resolution, with along-track triple stereo, four colors and five different phase angles, avoiding any time-dependent variations of the observing conditions. The HRSC spatial resolution is 10 m/pixel at the nominal periapsis altitude of 250 km, with an image swath of 53 km, and 2.3 m/pixel for an additional framing CCD device, called super resolution channel (SRC), practically working as an additional tenth channel of the HRSC and yielding nested-in black and white images for studies of small-scale geologic features. The sub-pixel accuracy of the three-dimensional point determination allows the derivation of digital terrain models (DTMs) with a grid size of up to 50 m and a height accuracy of a single pixel with up to 10 m, thus enabling us to carry out detailed quantitative analyses of the surface structure. The HRSC (1) bridges the gap between the medium–high-resolution Viking imagery and the very-high-resolution Global Surveyor mission, thus providing geological context, and (2) fills the gaps in the three-dimensional coverage and DTM grid of the MOLA laser altimetry data, and (3) helps characterize landing sites for in-situ measurements. HRSC also builds the basis for extended compositional mapping when combining spectral information with topographic photomaps over large areas. So far the HRSC measurements have made a significant contribution to the study of the evolution of volcanism and the role of water and ice throughout the Martian history.

Insight into the state of the early martian lithosphere is gained by modeling the topography above surface breaking thrust faults in the southern Thaumasia region. Crater counts of key surface units associated with the faulting indicate a scarp emplacement in the late Noachian–early Hesperian periods between 4.0 and 3.7 Gyr. The seismogenic layer thickness at the time of faulting is constrained to 27–35 km and 21–28 km for the two scarps investigated, implying paleo geothermal gradients of 12–18 and 15–23 K km −1 , corresponding to heat flows of 24–36 and 30–46 mW m −2 . The heat flow values obtained in this study are considerably lower than those derived from rift flank uplift at the close-by Coracis Fossae for a similar time period, indicating that surface heat flow is a strong function of regional setting. If viewed as representative for magmatically active and inactive regions, the thermal gradients at rifts and scarps span the range of admissible global mean values. This implies d T / d z = 17 – 32 K km −1 , with the true value probably being closer to the lower bound.

International audience; In this report, we describe the journey Dawn has taken in the recent past, its present status, and its future mission. The overall objective of Dawn is to explore backward in time via its observations of the primitive bodies, Vesta and Ceres. Thus Dawn embarks on three journeys. The first is its tumultuous temporal terrestrial trek during development. The second is its soon-to-be voyage in space to 4 Vesta, the second most massive asteroid in the main belt, and to 1 Ceres, the most massive. The third is its journey backward in time to infer the conditions as the solar system was formed. Finally, we discuss how it is possible to go back even further in time, beyond the horizon of the Dawn mission to obtain "pre Dawn" observations at 10 Hygiea, the fourth most massive asteroid, and one more primitive than Vesta and Ceres.

The structure of the upper layer of a comet is a product of its surface activity. The Rosetta Lander Imaging System (ROLIS) on board Philae acquired close-range images of the Agilkia site during its descent onto comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. These images reveal a photometrically uniform surface covered by regolith composed of debris and blocks ranging in size from centimeters to 5 meters. At the highest resolution of 1 centimeter per pixel, the surface appears granular, with no apparent deposits of unresolved sand-sized particles. The thickness of the regolith varies across the imaged field from 0 to 1 to 2 meters. The presence of aeolian-like features resembling wind tails hints at regolith mobilization and erosion processes. Modeling suggests that abrasion driven by airfall-induced particle "splashing" is responsible for the observed formations.

The structure of the upper layer of a comet is a product of its surface activity. The Rosetta Lander Imaging System (ROLIS) on board Philae acquired close-range images of the Agilkia site during its descent onto comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. These images reveal a photometrically uniform surface covered by regolith composed of debris and blocks ranging in size from centimeters to 5 meters. At the highest resolution of 1 centimeter per pixel, the surface appears granular, with no apparent deposits of unresolved sand-sized particles. The thickness of the regolith varies across the imaged field from 0 to 1 to 2 meters. The presence of aeolian-like features resembling wind tails hints at regolith mobilization and erosion processes. Modeling suggests that abrasion driven by airfall-induced particle “splashing” is responsible for the observed formations.

The HRSC (image 0037) and MOC imagery and MOLA altimetry were used to determine the following parameters of the lava flows typical of the southern slope of the Martian volcano Olympus: the length (13–35 km), the width (0.2–4.8 km), and the angles of ground slopes along which these flows advanced (3.4°–6.9°). To measure the thickness of the flows, we applied a method which had never been used before for Mars. In this method, the apparent thickness obtained from the MOC images and the slope steepness obtained from the MOLA data are used to determine the true thickness. The average estimates of the thickness of lava flows vary from 4 to 11 m and from 4 to 26 m for the volcano flanks and caldera scarps, respectively. These values are close to those of terrestrial basalt flows and to the lower limit found for the Martian flows by other researchers. Based on the performed measurements, we estimated the lava yield strength (0.9 × 103−3.6 × 104 Pa), the supply rate (24–137 m3/s), and the viscosity (1.4 × 103−2.8 × 107 kg/m s). These values are close to the estimates found for the Martian lavas by other researchers and to the characteristic values of these parameters for terrestrial lava flows with basalt and basalt-andesite composition.

Images of the icy Saturnian satellites Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Iapetus, and Phoebe, derived by the Voyager and Cassini cameras are used to produce new local high-resolution image mosaics as well as global mosaics [http://ciclops.org, http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov]. These global mosaics are valuable both for scientific interpretation and for the planning of future flybys later in the ongoing Cassini orbital tour. Furthermore, these global mosaics can be extended to standard cartographic products.

A geologic analysis of 274 images acquired by the high-resolution MOC camera onboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft within the Arabia Terra low neutron flux anomaly (which is indicative of an anom- alously high abundance of hydrogen: up to 16 wt % of the equivalent amount of water) was performed. Corre- lation between the enhanced abundance of equivalent water with the presence of dust on the surface was found. Since dust plays a key role in condensation of water from the atmosphere, we suppose that the anomalies could result from the retention of atmospheric moisture. To analyze this suggestion, we performed a theoretical mod- eling that allowed us to map the planetary-scale distributions of several meteorological parameters responsible for the atmospheric moisture condensation. Two antipodal regions coinciding rather well with the Arabia Terra anomaly and the geographically antipodal anomaly southwest of Olympus Mons were found in the maps. This suggests that the anomalies are rather recent than ancient formations. They were probably formed by a sink of moisture from the atmosphere in the areas where present meteorological conditions support this sink. Geolog- ical parameters, primarily the presence of dust, only promote this process. We cannot exclude the possibility that the Martian cryosphere, rather than the atmosphere, supplied the studied anomalies with moisture during their formation: the thermodynamic conditions in the anomaly areas could block the moisture flux from the Martian interior in the upper regolith layer. The moisture coming from the atmosphere or from the interior is likely held as chemically bound water entering into the structure of water-bearing minerals (probably, hydrated magnesium sulfates) directly from the vapor; or the moisture precipitates as frost, penetrates into microfissures, and then is bound in minerals. Probably, another geologic factor—the magnesium sulfate abundance—works in the Arabia Terra anomaly.

We are testing the idea of Squyres et al. (1992) that rampart craters on Mars may have formed over a significant time period and therefore the onset diameter (minimum diameter of a rampart crater) only reflects the ground ice depth at a given time. We measured crater size frequencies on the layered ejecta of rampart craters in three equatorial regions to derive absolute model ages and to constrain the regional volatile history. Nearly all rampart craters in the Xanthe Terra region are ~3.8 Gyr old. This corresponds to the Noachian fluvial activity that region. Rampart crater formation declines in the Hesperian, whereas onset diameters (minimum diameter) increase. No new rampart craters formed after the end of the Hesperian (~3 Gyr). This indicates a lowering of the ground ice table with time in the Xanthe Terra region. Most rampart craters in the Valles Marineris region are around 3.6 Gyr old. Only one large, probably Amazonian-aged (~2.5 Gyr), rampart crater exists. These ages indicate a volatile-rich period in the Early Hesperian and a lowering of the ground ice table with time in the Valles Marineris study region. Rampart craters in southern Chryse Planitia,which are partly eroded by fluvial activity, show ages around 3.9 Gyr. Rampart craters superposed on channels have ages between ~1.5 and ~0.6 Gyr. The onset diameter (3 km at ~1.5 Gyr) in this region may indicate a relatively shallow ground ice table. Loss of volatiles due to diffusion and sublimation might have lowered the ground ice table even in the southern Chryse Planitia region afterwards. In general, our study implies a formation of the smallest rampart craters within and/or shortly after periods of fluvial activity and a subsequent lowering of the ground ice table indicated by increasing onset diameter to the present. These results question the method to derive present equatorial ground ice depths from the onset diameter of rampart craters without information about their formation time.

Slope streaks are gravity-driven albedo features observed on martian slopes since the Viking missions. The debated mechanism of formation could involve alternatively dry granular flow or wet mass wasting. A systematic mapping of slope streaks from the High Resolution Stereo Camera is presented in this paper. Two regions known for their slope streaks activity have been studied, the first one is located close to Cerberus lava flow, and the second one is inside the Olympus Mons Aureole. The statistics of slope streaks shapes measured from orthorectified images confirm previous results from Mars Orbiter Camera surveys. Preferential orientations of slope streaks are reported. Slope streaks occur preferentially on west facing slopes at latitudes lower than 30° N for Olympus and on south–west facing slopes for Cerberus. Wind directions derived from a General Circulation Model during the dusty season correlate with these orientations. Furthermore, west facing slopes at Olympus have a thicker dust cover. These observations indicate that slope streaks are dust avalanches controlled by the preferential accumulation of dust in the downstream side of the wind flow. The paucity of slope streaks at high latitudes and their preferential orientation on south-facing slopes have been presented as an evidence for a potential role of H 2 O phase transition in triggering or flow. The potential role of H 2 O cannot be ruled out from our observations but the dust avalanche model together with the atmospheric circulation could potentially explain all observations. The role of H 2 O might be limited to a stabilizing effect of dust deposits on northward facing slopes at intermediate latitudes (30° N–33° N) and on all slopes further north.

It is thought that the Cerberus Fossae fissures on Mars were the source of both lava and water floods two to ten million years ago. Evidence for the resulting lava plains has been identified in eastern Elysium, but seas and lakes from these fissures and previous water flooding events were presumed to have evaporated and sublimed away. Here we present High Resolution Stereo Camera images from the European Space Agency Mars Express spacecraft that indicate that such lakes may still exist. We infer that the evidence is consistent with a frozen body of water, with surface pack-ice, around 5 degrees north latitude and 150 degrees east longitude in southern Elysium. The frozen lake measures about 800 x 900 km in lateral extent and may be up to 45 metres deep--similar in size and depth to the North Sea. From crater counts, we determined its age to be 5 +/- 2 million years old. If our interpretation is confirmed, this is a place that might preserve evidence of primitive life, if it has ever developed on Mars.

The majority of volcanic products on Mars are thought to be mafic and effusive. Explosive eruptions of basic to ultrabasic chemistry are expected to be common, but evidence for them is rare and mostly confined to very old surface features. Here we present new image and topographic data from the High Resolution Stereo Camera that reveal previously unknown traces of an explosive eruption at 30 degrees N and 149 degrees E on the northwestern flank of the shield volcano Hecates Tholus. The eruption created a large, 10-km-diameter caldera approximately 350 million years ago. We interpret these observations to mean that large-scale explosive volcanism on Mars was not confined to the planet's early evolution. We also show that glacial deposits partly fill the caldera and an adjacent depression. Their age, derived from crater counts, is about 5 to 24 million years. Climate models predict that near-surface ice is not stable at mid-latitudes today, assuming a thermo-dynamic steady state. Therefore, the discovery of very young glacial features at Hecates Tholus suggests recent climate changes. We show that the absolute ages of these very recent glacial deposits correspond very well to a period of increased obliquity of the planet's rotational axis.

It is shown that the size–frequency distribution (SFD) of a time-averaged projectile population derived from the lunar crater SFD of Neukum and Ivanov (in Hazards Due to Comets and Asteroids (T. Gehrels, Ed.), 1994, pp. 359–416, Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson) provides a convincing fit to the SFD of the current near-Earth asteroid (NEA) population, as deduced from the results of asteroid search programs. Our results suggest that the shape of the SFD of the impactor flux has remained in a steady state since the late heavy bombardment, so that the current NEA population can be viewed as a snapshot of the flux of impactors on the Moon. The number of bodies in the projectile population with diameters of 1 km or more is 700±130, which is in good agreement with recent estimates of the total number of NEAs in this size range. Our results imply that the contribution to the projectile flux from comets is small for diameters below 10 km.

We present a brief synopsis of the nature of SSI data that was taken during the nominal Galileo mission. Significant results are briefly described. These include evidence for geologic activity on Europa that supports the hypothesis of liquid water under a thin ice shell; a demonstration of the ubiquitous presence of a thick crust and high temperature silicate volcanism on Io; a demonstration that, together with results from other experiments, the molecular composition in Jupiter's atmosphere depends on local meteorology; the resolution of lightning flashes and their association with cloud type; the identification of cloud structures at or below the 4-bar level that are presumably composed of water; the location and morphology of visible aurorae in Jupiter's Northern hemisphere; improved geodetic control nets for the Galilean satellites; measurement of the sizes and shapes of Metis, Adrastea and Amalthea; new features of the main and gossamer rings; discovery of visible Io-glow and surface hotspots especially at the sub- and anti-jove regions on Io; evidence for solid state convection in Europa's ice shell and its probable non-synchronous rotation; the discovery of visible Europa-glow; evidence that tectonism has dominated the resurfacing of bright grooved terrain on Ganymede; the discovery of a thick blanket of dark material on Callisto's surface and that mass-wasting and sublimation are significant degradation processes on this satellite.

High resolution (

Images from the Galileo mission to Jupiter have been combined with earlier Voyager images to produce improved geodetic control networks for the Galilean satellites. The improved geometric stability and lack of scene-dependent distortions of the Galileo images compensate for their relatively small number. Triaxial solutions are derived for the principal axes of the satellites by assuming an equilibrium constrained by the gravity potential coefficients. The control network is used in the preparation of planimetric maps by relating the images to the latitude/longitude grid.

International audience; The Mars Express mission was launched in June 2003 and was inserted into orbit around Mars in December 2003. Its main objective is to study the Mars' subsurface, surface, atmosphere and interaction with the solar wind. A secondary objective is to study the martian moons, in particular the largest one Phobos, thanks to a near polar and elliptical orbit which allows the spacecraft to perform close flybys about every five months. The Mars Express data not only consist of high-resolution 3D color images, but also astrometric images, spectra from 0.18 to 20 μm, radar echoes, Doppler signals from gravity experiments, and ion data. A new view of the moons has emerged from this data set, favoring now the idea that they are not captured asteroids, but rather the result of a re-accretion following a major impact on Mars. This unique set of data is available in the ESA Planetary Science Archive (PSA) and mirror imaged in the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS). This paper presents an overview of the Mars Express Phobos flybys, the specificities of their operations and the scientific achievements.

International audience; NASA's PHOENIX spacecraft has successfully landed on Mars on 25 May 2008. ESA supported the event by recording signals from PHOENIX by the Mars EXPRESS spacecraft using its lander communication subsystem. Following numerical simulations of the probe entry plume emission, two Mars EXPRESS instruments, namely the High Resolution and Stereo Camera (HRSC) and the Ultraviolet and Infrared Spectrometer (SPICAM), were switched on in to observe the emission associated with the atmospheric entry. No positive detection was reported unfortunately. This article reports on the simulations, the planning, and the results. The non-detection by the UV spectrometer was due to a wrong instrument setting. Result for the camera is tentatively explained by the level of emission in the visible range. Lessons learned are given in the conclusions: the entry probe trajectory should be communicated as soon as possible to all interested parties, within the boundary conditions of confidentiality obviously. It is important to plan some redundancy to prevent incorrect instrument operations. A multi-instrument multi-spacecraft campaign should be encouraged by all means. Since detection of such faint signal is challenging, the integration time must be properly matched to the event duration. Payload operational (exclusion) rules should be discussed in an open way, to check whether the prudence of such measures is procedural or physical. The numerical simulations discussed in this paper have been focused on IR radiation in the lower density flow wake, using a DSMC/line-by-line method. These could be complemented with other numerical approaches more focused in the VUV-visible region in the high-pressure bow-shock region, using continuum Navier-Stokes fluid methods, which would yield information on the contribution to the emission spectrum from minor flow species such as CN, C2 and C.

The preparation for the Cassini-Huygens mission gives an opportunity to revise the problem of an atmospheric entry and breakup of cratering meteoroids. The numerical modeling of the meteoroid's flight through the atmosphere is presented in comparison with more simple models. The simulation takes into account the brittle/ductile properties of the meteoroid material: the Grady-Kipp-Melosh model of tensile failure is accompanied with a simple model of the shear failure. The main difference with previously published models consists in the treating of the post-failure deformation of the damaged material as a flow of a cohesionless media with a dry friction. Numerical results are used to make a parameterization of a simple Grigorian-like model, which finally is applied to predict the atmospheric shielding effect on Titan. For a modern atmosphere of Titan and mostly ice projectiles the observable deficiency of impact craters due to atmospheric shielding would be in the range of 6–8 km, where the number of craters would be two times smaller than for the airless Titan.

Two- and three-dimensional numerical radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of the bolide stage of SL-9 fragments intruding into the Jovian atmosphere have been conducted. Radiation fluxes in each wave band of the Galileo mission instruments (SSI, PPR, NIMS and UVS) in the direction of Galileo have been calculated. The simulations are based on detailed tables of spectral opacities calculated assuming thermodynamic equilibrium and the initial composition of 0.89H2+0.11He+0.00195CH4. The small amount of methane and its products strongly change the spectral absorption coefficients in the IR and visible region, compared with a pure hydrogen helium mixture. Simulations begin at the moment when the bolide head is at an altitude of 300 km. The intensity of light rapidly increases until the moment when the bolide head disappears below the clouds, but the wake still shines above the cloud tops. This changes the slope of the light intensity versus time curve and creates a plateau on the light curve. A small difference in the observed maximum intensity for K, W and N fragments registered by SSI and for L, G, H and Q1 fragments registered by PPR instruments (no more than 2.5 times) implies that the sizes of all the above-mentioned fragments vary by no more than a factor of about 1.5. A comparison of the theoretical peak intensity determined neglecting ablation with that observed for all these fragments gives an estimate of the fragment radius in the range 0.5–0.7 km. NIMS data at λ = 4.38 μm for the G fragment give the same value of radius. The radiating volume is located mainly at altitudes of about 30–100 km and slowly changes its size and shape. The brightness temperature is much smaller than the temperature of gas in the bolide head and in the hot core of the wake. This effect of screening due to absorption in cold outer layers of the wake explains a rather low brightness temperature of PPR and NIMS. A short duration of the signal in the ultraviolet is also explained by the simulations. Simulations taking into account radiation-driven ablation show that the dense vapor cloud formed at high altitudes tends to increase the shock wave radius by a factor of two or three. Taking this correction factor into account we can expect the fragment radius to be 0.3–0.4 km for K and 0.15–0.20 km for W. The theoretical profile of the light curve before and some time after the peak intensity is similar to the observed one (for K fragment until 15–20 s). The discrepancy at later time is probably due to the heating and evaporation of the clouds by the shock wave and mechanically induced ablation, which have not yet been taken into account in the physical model.

2D and 3D radiation hydrodynamic simulations of the bolide stage of the SL-9 comet fragments impact onto Jupiter have been fulfilled taking into account radiation driven ablation. Detailed tables of spectral opacities of hot Jovian atmosphere and of ablation products have been calculated and used in the simulations. It has been shown that methane and its products substantially change opacities of hot Jovian atmosphere in comparison to zero-metallicity opacities of pure helium-hidrogen mixture. Composition of the SL-9 comet in the model has been varied from pure water to pure chondritic dust, including volatile/dust ratio estimated for comet Halley. We find that a dense cloud of vapor formed at altitudes of about 150–300 km moves with fragments to an altitude of the 1 bar level and substantionally (by a factor of two-three) increases the size of the emitting volume and intensity of radiation. Radiation fluxes in each waveband of Galileo mission instruments (SSI, PPR, NIMS and UVS) have been calculated in the direction of Galileo for various sizes of the SL-9 fragments. Sizes of some of the fragments have been determined from comparision of theoretical intensities with observations, namely 0.3 – 0.8 km.

A statistical model of a tensile strength is implemented into the SALE-2D hydrocode. The well-tested 2D code has been modified to handle multi-material problems and strength effects. The key element of the model is the Grady-Kipp-Melosh kinetic model of tensile strength, adopted to hydrocode calculations. The resulting numerical algorithm allows to estimate general features of the atmospheric breakup of meteoroids and fracturing around impact craters.

This article describes the characterization activities of the landing sites currently envisaged for the Lunar Lander mission of the European Space Agency. These sites have been identified in the South Pole Region (-85{\deg} to -90{\deg} latitude) based on favourable illumination conditions, which make it possible to have a long-duration mission with conventional power and thermal control subsystems, capable of enduring relatively short periods of darkness (in the order of tens of hours), instead of utilising Radioisotope Heating Units. The illumination conditions are simulated at the potential landing sites based on topographic data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA), using three independent tools. Risk assessment of the identified sites is also being performed through independent studies. Long baseline slopes are assessed based on LOLA, while craters and boulders are detected both visually and using computer tools in Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) images, down to a size of less than 2 m, and size-frequency distributions are generated. Shadow hazards are also assessed via LROC images. The preliminary results show that areas with quasi-continuous illumination of several months exist, but their size is small (few hundred metres); the duration of the illumination period drops quickly to less than one month outside the areas, and some areas present gaps with short illumination periods. Concerning hazard distributions, 50 m slopes are found to be shallow (few degrees) based on LOLA, whereas at the scale of the lander footprint (~5 m) they are mostly dominated by craters, expected to be mature (from geological context) and shallow (~11{\deg}). The preliminary conclusion is that the environment at the prospective landing sites is within the capabilities of the Lander design.

A New Dawn Since 17 July 2011, NASA's spacecraft Dawn has been orbiting the asteroid Vesta—the second most massive and the third largest asteroid in the solar system (see the cover). Russell et al. (p. 684 ) use Dawn's observations to confirm that Vesta is a small differentiated planetary body with an inner core, and represents a surviving proto-planet from the earliest epoch of solar system formation; Vesta is also confirmed as the source of the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites. Jaumann et al. (p. 687 ) report on the asteroid's overall geometry and topography, based on global surface mapping. Vesta's surface is dominated by numerous impact craters and large troughs around the equatorial region. Marchi et al. (p. 690 ) report on Vesta's complex cratering history and constrain the age of some of its major regions based on crater counts. Schenk et al. (p. 694 ) describe two giant impact basins located at the asteroid's south pole. Both basins are young and excavated enough amounts of material to form the Vestoids—a group of asteroids with a composition similar to that of Vesta—and HED meteorites. De Sanctis et al. (p. 697 ) present the mineralogical characterization of Vesta, based on data obtained by Dawn's visual and infrared spectrometer, revealing that this asteroid underwent a complex magmatic evolution that led to a differentiated crust and mantle. The global color variations detailed by Reddy et al. (p. 700 ) are unlike those of any other asteroid observed so far and are also indicative of a preserved, differentiated proto-planet.

The first images of the asteroid 243 Ida from Galileo show an irregular object measuring 56-kilometers by 24 kilometers by 21 kilometers. Its surface is rich in geologic features, including systems of grooves, blocks, chutes, albedo features, crater chains, and a full range of crater morphologies. The largest blocks may be distributed nonuniformly across the surface; lineaments and dark-floored craters also have preferential locations. Ida is interpreted to have a substantial regolith. The high crater density and size-frequency distribution (-3 differential power-law index) indicate a surface in equilibrium with saturated cratering. A minimum model crater age for Ida-and therefore for the Koronis family to which Ida belongs-is estimated at 1 billion years, older than expected.

Galileo images of Gaspra make it possible for the first time to determine a main-belt asteroid's photometric properties accurately by providing surface-resolved coverage over a wide range of incidence and emission angles and by extending the phase angle coverage to phases not observable from Earth. We combine Earth-based telescopic photometry over phase angles 2° ≤ α ≤ 25° with Galileo whole-disk and disk-resolved data at 33° ≤ α ≤ 51° to derive average global photometric properties in terms of Hapke's photometric model. The microscopic texture and particle phase-function behavior of Gaspra's surface are remarkably like those of other airless rocky bodies such as the Moon. The macroscopic surface roughness parameter, θ = 29°, is slightly larger than that reported for typical lunar materials. The particle single scattering albedo, ω0 = 0.36 ± 0.07, is significantly larger than for lunar materials, and the opposition surge amplitude, B0 = 1.63 ± 0.07, is correspondingly smaller. We determine a visual geometric albedo pv = 0.22 ± 0.06 for Gaspra, in close agreement with pv = 0.22 ± 0.03 estimated from Earth-based observations. Gaspra's phase integral is 0.47, and the bolometric Bond albedo is estimated to be 0.12 ± 0.03. An albedo map derived by correcting Galileo images with our average global photometric function reveals subdued albedo contrasts of ±10% or less over Gaspra's northern hemisphere. Several independent classification algorithms confirm the subtle spectral heterogeneity reported earlier (S. Mottola, M. DiMartino, M. Gonano-Beurer, H. Hoffman, and G. Neukum, 1993, Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, pp. 421-424; M. J. S. Belton et al., 1992, Science 257, 1647-1652). Whole-disk colors (0.41 ≤ λ ≤ 0.99 μm) vary systematically with longitude by about ±5%, but color differences as large as 30% occur locally. Colors vary continuously between end-member materials whose areal distribution correlates with regional topography. Infrared: violet (0.99:0.41-μm) color ratios on Gaspra are strongly correlated with local elevation, being largest at lower elevations and smaller at higher elevations. No correlation was detected between elevation and the green:violet (0.56:0.41-μm) color ratio. Bright materials with a strong 1-μm absorption occur primarily in association with craters along ridges, while darker materials with 30% weaker 1-μm signatures occur downslope. The variations of color and albedo cannot be easily explained by grain-size effects alone or by differences in photometric geometry. The trends observed are consistent with those revealed by laboratory studies of the effects of comminution, glass formation, and segregation of metal from silicate components in chondritic meteorites and also in some silicate mixtures. The relative importance of these various processes on Gaspra remains to be determined.

[1] We investigate the formation of the outflow channels Dao and Niger Valles near the eastern rim of the Hellas impact basin, Mars. Methods used include image and topography analysis, surface age determination, and finite element modeling. Observations show that deep depressions, source regions for Dao and Niger Valles, are located in an area of shallow subsidence to the south and east of the volcano Hadriaca Patera. Cratering model ages allow for fluvial processes triggered by volcanic loading. Based on the observations, we develop a numerical model of volcanic loading on top of a poroelastic plate leading to flexure and fracturing of the lithosphere. Modeling results show that fracturing may occur up to a depth of about 6 km within an area of shallow subsidence, i.e., the moat surrounding the volcano. Depending on initial aquifer pressurization, groundwater could have reached the surface. Model discharges and channel morphometry suggest that the Dao Vallis channel never reached bankfull flow and that the wetted channel perimeter may have formed during multiple outflow events. The following scenario is proposed: (1) emplacement of a volcanic load on top of a confined, overpressurized aquifer in the early Hesperian, (2) fracturing around the load, possibly reactivated during various stages of volcanic activity, (3) channeling of groundwater to the surface along fractures and outflow channel formation during several events in the Hesperian, and (4) collapse, mass wasting and modification of depressions in the Amazonian.

International audience; The 174 km diameter Terby impact crater (28.0°S-74.1°E) located on the northern rim of the Hellas basin displays anomalous inner morphology, including a flat floor and light-toned layered deposits. An analysis of these deposits was performed using multiple datasets from Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter missions, with visible images for interpretation, near-infrared data for mineralogical mapping, and topography for geometry. The geometry of layered deposits was consistent with that of sediments that settled mainly in a sub-aqueous environment, during the Noachian period as determined by crater counts. To the north, the thickest sediments displayed sequences for fan deltas, as identified by 100 m to 1 km long clinoforms, as defined by horizontal beds passing to foreset beds dipping by 6-10° toward the center of the Terby crater. The identification of distinct sub-aqueous fan sequences, separated by unconformities and local wedges, showed the accumulation of sediments from prograding/onlapping depositional sequences, due to lake level and sediment supply variations. The mineralogy of several layers with hydrated minerals, including Fe/Mg phyllosilicates, supports this type of sedimentary environment. The volume of fan sediments was estimated as >5000 km3 (a large amount considering classical martian fan deltas such as Eberswalde (6 km3)) and requires sustained liquid water activity. Such a large sedimentary deposition in Terby crater is characteristic of the Noachian/Phyllosian period during which the environment favored the formation of phyllosilicates. The latter were detected by spectral data in the layered deposits of Terby crater in three distinct layer sequences. During the Hesperian period, the sediments experienced strong erosion, possibly enhanced by more acidic conditions, forming the current morphology with three mesas and closed depressions. Small fluvial valleys and alluvial fans formed subsequently, attesting to late fluvial processes dated as late Early to early Late Hesperian. After this late fluvial episode, the Terby impact crater was submitted to aeolian processes and permanent cold conditions with viscous flow features. Therefore, the Terby crater displays, in a single location, geologic features that characterize the three main periods of time on Mars, with the presence of one of the thickest sub-aqueous fan deposits reported on Mars. The filling of Terby impact crater is thus one potential "reference geologic cross-section" for Mars stratigraphy.

The chronology of lunar volcanism is based on radiometric ages determined from Apollo and Luna landing site samples, regional stratigraphic relationships, and crater degradation and size-frequency distribution data for units largely defined prior to the end of the Apollo program. Accurate estimates of mare basalt ages are necessary to place constraints on the duration and the flux of lunar volcanism, as well as on the petrogenesis of lunar mare basalts and their relationship to the thermal evolution of the Moon. Here, we report on ages derived from crater size-frequency distribution measurements for exposed mare basalt units on the lunar nearside hemisphere. Crater size-frequency distribution measurements provide a statistically robust and accurate method to derive absolute model ages of unsampled regions on the Moon and other planetary surfaces. This paper summarizes and synthesizes results from our crater-counting efforts over more than 10 yr. We have dated basalts in Oceanus Procellarum, Imbrium, Serenitatis, Tranquillitatis, Humboldtianum, Australe, Humorum, Nubium, Cognitum, Nectaris, Frigoris, and numerous smaller occurrences like impact craters and sinus and lacus areas. Our investigations show that (1) in the investigated basins, lunar volcanism was active for almost 3 b.y., starting at ~3.9–4.0 b.y. ago and ceasing at ~1.2 b.y. ago, (2) most basalts erupted during the late Imbrian Period at ~3.6–3.8 b.y. ago, (3) significantly fewer basalts were emplaced during the Eratosthenian Period, and (4) basalts of possible Copernican age have been found only in limited areas in Oceanus Procellarum. Our results confirm and extend the general distribution of ages of mare basalt volcanism and further underscore the predominance of older mare basalt ages in the eastern and southern nearside and in patches of maria peripheral to the larger maria, in contrast to the younger basalt ages on the western nearside, i.e., in Oceanus Procellarum. New data from the recent international armada of lunar spacecraft will provide mineralogical, geochemical, morphological, topographic, and age data that will further refine our understanding of the flux of lunar mare basalts and their relation to petrogenetic trends and lunar thermal evolution.

The Visible, InfraRed, and Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS) on Rosetta obtained hyperspectral images, spectral reflectance maps, and temperature maps of the asteroid 21 Lutetia. No absorption features, of either silicates or hydrated minerals, have been detected across the observed area in the spectral range from 0.4 to 3.5 micrometers. The surface temperature reaches a maximum value of 245 kelvin and correlates well with topographic features. The thermal inertia is in the range from 20 to 30 joules meter(-2) kelvin(-1) second(-0.5), comparable to a lunarlike powdery regolith. Spectral signatures of surface alteration, resulting from space weathering, seem to be missing. Lutetia is likely a remnant of the primordial planetesimal population, unaltered by differentiation processes and composed of chondritic materials of enstatitic or carbonaceous origin, dominated by iron-poor minerals that have not suffered aqueous alteration.

[1] Basaltic mare materials extruded between ∼ 4 Ga and ∼ 1.2 Ga ago and formed large expanses on the lunar nearside. In contrast to the maria, volcanic shields, domes, and cones also occur but cover only a small area of the total lunar surface. One specific type of dome is characterized (1) by steep slopes, (2) by a high albedo similar to lunar highlands, and (3) by a strong absorption in the ultraviolet. Because of this latter feature they appear spectrally red and therefore were termed red spots. Their morphology suggests that these domes were created by much more viscous, silica-rich lava. Also, red spots which are believed to be possibly volcanic in origin are associated with light plains materials. In order to constrain the formation of these presumed volcanic features in context with the formation of the surrounding mare and highland materials, we carried out (1) geologic and morphologic mapping of high-resolution Lunar Orbiter IV and Apollo 16 frames and (2) measurements of superimposed crater frequencies on geologic units in order to assess stratigraphy and geological history in the following two volcanic provinces in which red spots occur: (1) the Hansteen region, dominated by the dome Hansteen α (also known as the Arrowhead), and (2) the Helmet region, dominated by light plains, possibly of volcanic origin, such as the feature called the Helmet and Darney χ, and the southern Montes Riphaeus. In the Hansteen region, the dome Hansteen α postdates craters Billy (3.88 Ga) and Hansteen (3.87 Ga) but predates most of the mare materials (3.51 Ga). Cratering model ages of the dome range from 3.74 to 3.65 Ga, placing its major activity as extending into the late Imbrian. In the Helmet region, presumed highland volcanism associated with red spots started in the Nectarian with Darney χ (3.94 Ga). Cratering model ages measured on the Helmet light plains range from 3.8 to 2.08 Ga. The origin of these light plains and local resurfacing processes in this unit, however (highland volcanism or impact), remains an open question. Locally, younger processes of Eratosthenian or even Copernican age, such as emplacement of mare materials or mass wasting deposits, could be dated in the higher-resolution Apollo 16 frame.

International audience; The Rosetta spacecraft accomplished a flyby of Mars on its way to 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 25 February 2007. In this paper we describe the measurements obtained by the M channel of the Visual and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS-M) and the first scientific results derived from their analysis. The broad spectral coverage of the VIRTIS-M in the IR permitted the study of various phenomena occurring in the Martian atmosphere; observations were further exploited to achieve accurate absolute radiometric calibration. Nighttime data from the VIRTIS-M constrain the air temperature profile in the lower atmosphere (5-30 km), using variations in CO2 opacity at 4.3 mum. A comparison of this data with the global circulation model (GCM) by Forget et al. (1999) shows a trend of slightly higher air temperature in the VIRTIS-M retrievals; this is accompanied by the presence of moderate decreases (˜5 K) in large sections of the equatorial region. This is potentially related to the occurrence of water ice clouds. Daytime data from the VIRTIS-M reveal CO2 non-local thermodynamic equilibrium emission in the high atmosphere. A mapping of emission intensity confirms its strict dependence on solar zenith angle. Additionally, devoted limb observations allowed the retrieval of vertical emission intensity profiles, indicating a peak around 105 km in southern tropical regions. Ozone content can be effectively monitored by the emission of O2 (a1Deltag) at 1.27 mum. Retrieved emission intensity shows that polar regions are particularly rich in ozone. Aerosol scattering was observed in the 1-2.5 mum region above the night region above the night disk, suggesting the occurrence of very high noctilucent clouds.

[1] We report on ages derived from impact crater counts for exposed mare basalt units in the northern part of the lunar nearside hemisphere (Mare Frigoris), the eastern and northeastern part of the nearside hemisphere (Lacus Temporis, Joliot, Hubble, Goddard, Mare Marginis, and Mare Smythii), the central part of the nearside hemisphere (Palus Putredinis, Mare Vaporum, and Sinus Medii), and the southwestern part of the nearside hemisphere (Grimaldi, Cruger, Rocca A, Lacus Aestatis, and Schickard). In Mare Frigoris, we dated 37 basalt units, showing ages from 2.61 to 3.77 Gyr, with most units being formed in the late Imbrian period between 3.4 and 3.8 Gyr ago. In Mare Vaporum we dated six spectrally homogeneous units that show model ages of 3.10 to 3.61 Gyr. Our model ages of basalts in Mare Marginis range from 3.38 to 3.88 Gyr and are mostly older than basalts in Mare Smythii (3.14–3.48 Gyr). The model ages of four units in Sinus Medii indicate that the basalts in this region formed 3.63 to 3.79 Gyr ago. We find an excellent agreement of our crater size-frequency model ages of the Palus Putredinis area, which contains the Apollo 15 landing site, with the radiometric ages of Apollo 15 samples. According to our crater counts, basalts in Palus Putredinis are 3.34 Gyr old and this compares favorably with the radiometric ages of 3.30–3.35 Gyr of the olivine-normative and quartz-normative basalts of the Apollo 15 landing site. Lacus Aestatis is a small irregular-shaped mare patch in the southwestern nearside and shows an Imbrian age of 3.50 Gyr; basalts in Lacus Temporis in the northeastern nearside formed between 3.62 and 3.74 Gyr ago and are, therefore, older than the basalts in Lacus Aestatis. We found that basalts in craters of the southwestern nearside (Schickard, Grimaldi, Cruger, and Rocca A) are also mostly younger than basalts in craters of the northeastern nearside (Hubble, Joliot, and Goddard). While basalt ages vary between 3.16 and 3.75 Gyr in the southwest, basalts in the northeast are 3.60–3.79 Gyr old. These results confirm and extend the general distribution of ages of mare basalt volcanism and further underline the predominance of older mare basalt ages in the eastern and southern nearside and in patches of mare peripheral to the larger maria, in contrast to the younger basalt ages on the western nearside (Oceanus Procellarum).

[1] Geologic evolution of the western portion of Promethei Terra (40–50°S, 90–105°E) consists of two major episodes. The first was the formation of a late Noachian–early Hesperian volcanic province. During this episode a kilometer-thick suite (≈0.3 × 106 km3) of lavas accumulated to the south of Reull and Harmakhis Valles within a regional depression that probably was formed earlier in a massive erosion. A topographic barrier of the cratered terrains separates the volcanic western Promethei plateau from Hesperia Planum. Thus, the lavas could not originate from Hesperia Planum. The topographic position of western Promethei Terra excludes a possible lava feeding from Hadriaca Patera. Dikes from Tyrrhena Patera potentially could be the lava source. The massive erosion before formation of the lava plateau in western Promethei Terra is poorly consistent, however, with the hypothesis that the distal dikes served as the source and favors emplacement of sills or a local source for the lavas. The second episode after the lava plateau emplacement was surface modification by glacial, fluvial, and aeolian processes. The time of the episode is poorly known, and it could continue from the late Hesperian and through the entire Amazonian epoch. Mesas, channels, and esker-like ridges suggest that at the earlier stages of this episode (late Hesperian–early Amazonian) a glacier or ice dust deposits covered the western Promethei Terra area studied. The 50–60 × 103 km3 formation could contain 15–18 to 40–50 × 103 km3 of ice. This is comparable with the ice involved into of lobate apron formation (5–13 × 103 km3) at the later Amazonian stages of western Promethei Terra. Because of the uncertainties in the ice volume estimates, the total amount of water in the earlier glacier and later aprons was approximately the same.