Category Archives: Reports

Geological evidence of a planet‐wide groundwater system on Mars

Posted on July 1, 2019 by rburnham

[Ed. note: Earlier reports about this research here and here.] Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month, July 1, 2019: Francesco Salese (Utrecht University). Groundwater had a greater role in shaping the Martian surface and may have sheltered primitive life forms … Continue reading →

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ExoMars 2020: Progress and challenges

Posted on July 1, 2019 by rburnham

The full parachute system that will help deliver the ExoMars rover and a surface science platform to the martian surface has completed a full-scale high-altitude deployment sequence test, although unexpected damage to the main parachutes occurred. Meanwhile, the main elements … Continue reading →

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Latest weather at Gale Crater and Elysium Planitia

Posted on July 1, 2019 by rburnham

Daily Elysium charts and data (temperature, wind speed, atmospheric pressure) here.

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CRISM: Polyhydrates, sulfates, gypsum, and Fe silicates at a Sisyphi Montes dome

Posted on July 1, 2019 by rburnham

The Sisyphi Montes are a series of large semicircular mountains in Sisyphi Planum, a volcanic province on Mars located between the south polar terrains, Argyre, and Hellas basins. In this CRISM scene we observe polyhydrated sulfates (magenta), gypsum (blue), and … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Climbing higher

Posted on July 1, 2019 by rburnham

Sols 2451-53, June 28, 2019, update by MSL scientist Roger Wiens: Curiosity has been a bit down lately — in elevation. After exploring the top of Vera Rubin Ridge (VRR) last year, the rover descended into a trough south of … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Transition

Posted on July 1, 2019 by rburnham

Transition. This image shows where a fluvial channel changes from a depression to an inverted high standing channel in Terra Sirenum. That change likely marks the spot where the material was possibly elevated and more resistant to erosion. HiRISE Picture … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: Arsia Mons faults, graben, and pit craters

Posted on July 1, 2019 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, July 1, 2019. Today’s VIS image is located on the lower flank of Arsia Mons. The linear features are tectonic faults. The lava flows originating from Arsia Mons are among the youngest on the surface … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘Badcall’ or a good call?

Posted on July 1, 2019 by rburnham

Sol 2450, June 28, 2019, update by MSL scientist Lauren Edgar: Curiosity is parked in front of a ridge-forming outcrop known as “Harlaw” in the Glen Torridon region, and the team had some fun with naming targets today. While planning … Continue reading →

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Micrometeorites: Key nutrient source for Mars life?

Posted on June 28, 2019 by rburnham

[Editor’s note: From a paper by Andrew Tomkins and six co-authors recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.] High survivability of micrometeorites on Mars: Sites with enhanced availability of limiting nutrients • Micrometeorites are predicted to be far more … Continue reading →

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MAVEN webinar: Getting cozy with Mars

Posted on June 28, 2019 by rburnham

The MAVEN spacecraft has successfully completed an aerobraking campaign, lowering the highest altitude of the satellite’s orbit to better transmit data from present and future Martian rovers and landers, while continuing its observations of the Martian atmosphere. In this MAVEN … Continue reading →

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