Curiosity's Investigation at Vera Rubin Ridge

Fraeman, A A ; Edgar, L A ; Grotzinger, J P ; Vasavada, A R ; Johnson, J R ; Wellington, D F ; Fox, V K ; Sun, V Z ; Hardgrove, C J ; Horgan, B N(Purdue Univ, West Lafayette, IN, United States)

关键词: MARS SURFACE;    HEMATITE;    SPECTRAL SIGNATURES;    CURIOSITY ROVER;    MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER;   

RP-ID  :  LPI Contrib. No. 2083-1557,JSC-E-DAA-TN53589

学科分类：天文学(综合)

美国|英语

来源: NASA Technical Reports Server

【 摘 要 】

The Curiosity rover is exploring Vera Rubin Ridge (VRR), a ~6.5 km long and ~200 m wide topographic feature trending northeast-southwest across Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mt. Sharp) (Fig 1). In orbital data, VRR is distinct from the underlying Murray formation due to its relative erosional resistance and greater exposure of bedrock. Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) orbital data show a hematite spectral signature over much of the ridge (Fig. 2). On the ground, Curiosity also observed hematite associated with the sedimentary rocks of the underlying Murray formation, although these detections are difficult to see with CRISM due to mixing with sand and dust.