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A Study of the Evolution of Clay Minerals on the Surface of Mars

A Study of the Evolution of Clay Minerals on the Surface of Mars. Patricia Gavin Florida Institute of Technology REU Student at the University of Arkansas July 27, 2006. Introduction to Clays. Bibring, et al ., 2006. Oldest material that are products of soil-water interactions

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A Study of the Evolution of Clay Minerals on the Surface of Mars

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  1. A Study of the Evolution of Clay Minerals on the Surface of Mars Patricia Gavin Florida Institute of Technology REU Student at the University of Arkansas July 27, 2006

  2. Introduction to Clays Bibring, et al., 2006 • Oldest material that are products of soil-water interactions • Found in the oldest terrains • Provide chemical evidence of past water on the surface of Mars • Transformations could be responsible for Mars’ red color

  3. Discovery of Clays Mawrth Vallis OMEGA, Mars Express HRSC – High Resolution Stereo Camera Nili Fossae Mars Global Surveyor Mars Express, OMEGA, HRSC Mustard, et al., 2006

  4. Experiments • Heated clays in high-temperature ovens • In air • In CO2 • Analyses performed • Color Changes • IR Reflectance • X-Ray Diffraction

  5. Color Changes (in air) 750oC, 6 hrs 750oC, 24 hrs 500oC, 24 hrs 1000oC, 6 hrs

  6. Color Changes (in CO2) 750oC, 6 hrs 900oC, 6 hrs 500oC, 20 hrs 1000oC, 4 hrs

  7. IR Reflectance Results

  8. XRD Results Interlayer spacing Quartz Hematite

  9. Conclusions • Clay transformations are most responsible for the red dust on Mars • Formation of hematite • High probability of past liquid water on the surface of Mars • Past water = Past life?

  10. New Questions • What happened to the water after heating? • Why is there a different color change only around 750o? • Why is there a different color change between heating in air and heating in CO2?

  11. A Study of the Evolution of Clay Minerals on the Surface of Mars Patricia Gavin Florida Institute of Technology REU Student at the University of Arkansas July 27, 2006

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