The Formation and Stability of Saline Minerals at the Martian Surface PDF Download

Author: Nicholas James Tosca
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Evaporites
Languages : en
Pages : 556

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Author: Joseph Seckbach
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119591686
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
The data in this book are new or updated, and will serve also as Origin of Life and evolutionary studies. Endospores of bacteria have a long history of use as model organisms in astrobiology, including survival in extreme environments and interplanetary transfer of life. Numerous other bacteria as well as archaea, lichens, fungi, algae and tiny animals (tardigrades, or water bears) are now being investigated for their tolerance to extreme conditions in simulated or real space environments. Experimental results from exposure studies on the International Space Station and space probes for up to 1.5 years are presented and discussed. Suggestions for extaterrestrial energy sources are also indicated. Audience Researchers and graduate students in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and astrobiology, as well as anyone interested in the search for extraterrestrial life and its technical preparations.

Author: John Grotzinger
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781461463382
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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The Mars Science Laboratory is the latest and most advanced NASA roving vehicle to explore the surface of Mars. The Curiosity rover has landed in Gale crater and will explore this region assessing conditions on the surface that might be hospitable to life and paving the way for later even more sophisticated exploration of the surface. This book describes the mission, its exploration and scientific objectives, studies leading to the design of the mission and the instruments that accomplish the objectives of the mission. This book is aimed at all those engaged in Martian studies as well as those interested in the origin of life in other environments. It will be a valuable reference for anyone who uses data from the Mars Science Laboratory. Previously published in Space Science Reviews journal, Vol. 170/1-4, 2012.

Author: Nathalie A. Cabrol
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128099364
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description
From Habitability to Life on Mars explores the current state of knowledge and questions on the past habitability of Mars and the role that rapid environmental changes may have played in the ability of prebiotic chemistry to transition to life. It investigates the role that such changes may have played in the preservation of biosignatures in the geological record and what this means for exploration strategies. Throughout the book, the authors show how the investigation of terrestrial analogs to early Martian habitats under various climates and environmental extremes provide critical clues to understand where, what and how to search for biosignatures on Mars. The authors present an introduction to the newest developments and state-of-the-art remote and in situ detection strategies and technologies that are being currently developed to support the upcoming ExoMars and Mars 2020 missions. They show how the current orbital and ground exploration is guiding the selection for future landing sites. Finally, the book concludes by discussing the critical question of the implications and ethics of finding life on Mars. Edited by the lead on a NASA project that searches for habitability and life on Mars leading to the Mars 2020 mission Presents the evidence, questions and answers we have today (including a summary of the current state of knowledge in advance of the ESA ExoMars and NASA Mars 2020 missions) Includes contributions from authors directly involved in past, current and upcoming Mars missions Provides key information as to how Mars rovers, such as ExoMars and Mars 2020, will address the search for life on Mars with their instrumentation

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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Author: Irene B. Carter Jones
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309174872
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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The Space Studies Board of the National Research Council (NRC) serves as the primary adviser to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on planetary protection policy, the purpose of which is to preserve conditions for future biological and organic exploration of planets and other solar system objects and to protect Earth and its biosphere from potential extraterrestrial sources of contamination. In October 1995 the NRC received a letter from NASA requesting that the Space Studies Board examine and provide advice on planetary protection issues related to possible sample-return missions to near-Earth solar system bodies.

Author: Jim Bell
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521866989
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 652

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Book Description
Phenomenal new observations from Earth-based telescopes and Mars-based orbiters, landers, and rovers have dramatically advanced our understanding of the past environments on Mars. These include the first global-scale infrared and reflectance spectroscopic maps of the surface, leading to the discovery of key minerals indicative of specific past climate conditions; the discovery of large reservoirs of subsurface water ice; and the detailed in situ roving investigations of three new landing sites. This an important, new overview of the compositional and mineralogic properties of Mars since the last major study published in 1992. An exciting resource for all researchers and students in planetary science, astronomy, space exploration, planetary geology, and planetary geochemistry where specialized terms are explained to be easily understood by all who are just entering the field.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 2

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Neutron maps obtained using the neutron spectrometer (NS) and the high-energy neutron detector aboard the Mars Odyssey spacecraft reveal variations in the concentration of hydrogen over the martian low to middle latitudes, with up to (almost equal to)10 wt% water-equivalent hydrogen in some equatorial regions. Infrared spectroscopic data provide evidence of chemically and/or physically bound H2O and/or OH. Likewise, the decrease in flux of epithermal neutrons in Arabia Terra and southwest of Olympus Mons has been attributed to enhanced concentration of water-bearing minerals in the subsurface. The near-surface martian regolith is expected to contain both unweathered and weathered materials. It may contain significant and heterogeneously distributed amounts of hydrous minerals, such as clays, zeolites, and/or salt hydrates, such as MgSO4 · nH2O. Experimental studies suggest that if such water-bearing minerals formed in the past on the martian surface, they may retain significant amounts of water under present martian surface conditions. Hydrous minerals could thus account for some or all of the water observed in the martian regolith by Odyssey. Our study uses surface P-T data to predict regions of stability and the hydration state of selected water-bearing minerals from low to middle latitudes and to identify the nature and amount of hydrous minerals that could possibly account for the water observed by NS.

Author: Robert M. Haberle
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110817938X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 613

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Book Description
Humanity has long been fascinated by the planet Mars. Was its climate ever conducive to life? What is the atmosphere like today and why did it change so dramatically over time? Eleven spacecraft have successfully flown to Mars since the Viking mission of the 1970s and early 1980s. These orbiters, landers and rovers have generated vast amounts of data that now span a Martian decade (roughly eighteen years). This new volume brings together the many new ideas about the atmosphere and climate system that have emerged, including the complex interplay of the volatile and dust cycles, the atmosphere-surface interactions that connect them over time, and the diversity of the planet's environment and its complex history. Including tutorials and explanations of complicated ideas, students, researchers and non-specialists alike are able to use this resource to gain a thorough and up-to-date understanding of this most Earth-like of planetary neighbours.