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Fine-layered Meridiani crater for the MSL Landing Site

Fine-layered Meridiani crater for the MSL Landing Site. L. V. Posiolova, K. S. Edgett , and M. C. Malin Malin Space Science Systems.

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Fine-layered Meridiani crater for the MSL Landing Site

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  1. Fine-layered Meridiani crater forthe MSL Landing Site L. V. Posiolova, K. S. Edgett , and M. C. Malin Malin Space Science Systems

  2. Landing in northern Sinus Meridiani provides access to great diversity of light-toned, layered rock;the rocks here are lower in the stratigraphic column than at MER-B site. 8.6 N 9.0 W Source: Northwest Sinus Meridiani geologic sketch map by Edgett (2005, Mars, 1, 5–58). 4.5 S 352.5 W

  3. Landing in northern Sinus Meridiani provides access to great diversity of light-toned, layered rock;the rocks here are lower in the stratigraphic column than at MER-B site. 8.6 N 9.0 W This site This site Source: Northwest Sinus Meridiani geologic sketch map by Edgett (2005, Mars, 1, 5–58).

  4. 6.4 N 2.5 W Site Location and Topography: • Site is located in northern Sinus Meridiani • - near 5.5 N, 2.0 W (358.1 E) ~500km NE of MER-B • 9-km wide elliptical depression with finely layered deposits • Located ~1.5km below the martian datum surrounded by relatively flat area 5.1 N 1.6 W

  5. Why are we proposing this site: • Hypothesis - candidate for a small lake; lakes were once present on Mars • Layered sedimentary rock • Broad, banded repeated layers in this crater, different from the other sedimentary rocks in the area • Fine layering, requires a persistent aqueous setting during part of its history • Lacustrine sediments can provide a record of a habitable site • Localized character - plus and minus • Surrounded by other outcrops providing additional sites for the extended mission

  6. Detailed view of crater

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

  8. A B A B • Smooth areas for landing and driving • Images are approximately from centers of ellipses 1 km R04-02122 S18-00278

  9. Compare with terrains in landing ellipses for Opportunity in Meridiani (on the left) and Spirit in Gusev Crater (on the right) R02-00715 1 km E05-02645

  10. R16-01694 Portion of V04756006 Possible Driving Route • THEMIS and MOC images showing possible driving route and an entry into the crater Portion of V05867017

  11. Landing Site requirements: • It is a “go-to” site • Surrounding topography suggest relatively flat surface for a safe landing • At least two 20 km diameter ellipses can fit near the crater • From the orbiter do not see presence of large boulders • Site and ellipses ~1.5 km below martian datum

  12. A B

  13. Summary: • Testing Hypothesis - small crater lake in Sinus Meridiani • Subaquaous environment have high potential for past habitability; localized environment make easier for materials to concentrate • Stratigraphically this site is located lower then MER-B, so landing here will help to reconstruct the extended geological history of this portion of Mars • Surrounded by other outcrops providing additional sites for the extended mission • This site is equatorial, at an elevation ~–1.5 km surrondined by safe/flat areas for landing

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