USGS Astrogeology: Research: Publications: Science Magazine

Textures of the Soils and Rocks at Gusev Crater from Spirit's Microscopic Imager

Issue Date: 08/06/2004
Volume: 305
Page: 824
View: Abstract | Full Text of the Paper

Summary

The Microscopic Imager on the Spirit rover analyzed the textures of the soil and rocks at Gusev crater on Mars at a resolution of 100 micrometers. Weakly bound agglomerates of dust are present in the soil near the Columbia Memorial Station. Some of the brushed or abraded rock surfaces show igneous textures and evidence for alteration rinds, coatings, and veins consistent with secondary mineralization. The rock textures are consistent with a volcanic origin and subsequent alteration and/or weathering by impact events, wind, and possibly water.

Plates
These images appeared as Plates 12 and 13 in this volume of Science Magazine. Left: MI/Pancam merged mosaic of Humphrey RAT hole from sol 60. Right: MI/Pancam merged mosaic of the first Mazatzal RAT hole from sol 82. PDF, 272 KB

Authors

K. E. Herkenhoff, S. W. Squyres, R. Arvidson, D. S. Bass, J. F. Bell, III, P. Bertelsen,5 N. A. Cabrol, L. Gaddis, A. G. Hayes, S. F. Hviid, J. R. Johnson, K. M. Kinch, M. B. Madsen, J. N. Maki, S. M. McLennan, H. Y. McSween, J. W. Rice, Jr., M. Sims, P. H. Smith, L. A. Soderblom, N. Spanovich, R. Sullivan, A. Wang

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact Ken Herkenhoff.

Related USGS Astrogeology Research Program Resources

Project: Mars Exploration Rovers - overview of the MER Mission and Astrogeology's involvement in the Microscopic Imager instrument

Topic: Mars Rover Missions - learn more about our involvement in MER

Topic: Mars - find our Mars related project, products, and mission involvement

Topic: Remote Sensing Research - access information about our remote sensing research