1. Jarosite and hematite at Meridiani Planum from Opportunity's Mossbauer Spectrometer.
- Author
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Klingelhöfer G, Morris RV, Bernhardt B, Schröder C, Rodionov DS, de Souza PA Jr, Yen A, Gellert R, Evlanov EN, Zubkov B, Foh J, Bonnes U, Kankeleit E, Gütlich P, Ming DW, Renz F, Wdowiak T, Squyres SW, and Arvidson RE
- Subjects
- Extraterrestrial Environment, Geologic Sediments, Iron Compounds, Magnesium Compounds, Minerals, Silicates, Spacecraft, Spectroscopy, Mossbauer, Water, Ferric Compounds, Mars, Sulfates
- Abstract
Mossbauer spectra measured by the Opportunity rover revealed four mineralogical components in Meridiani Planum at Eagle crater: jarosite- and hematite-rich outcrop, hematite-rich soil, olivine-bearing basaltic soil, and a pyroxene-bearing basaltic rock (Bounce rock). Spherules, interpreted to be concretions, are hematite-rich and dispersed throughout the outcrop. Hematitic soils both within and outside Eagle crater are dominated by spherules and their fragments. Olivine-bearing basaltic soil is present throughout the region. Bounce rock is probably an impact erratic. Because jarosite is a hydroxide sulfate mineral, its presence at Meridiani Planum is mineralogical evidence for aqueous processes on Mars, probably under acid-sulfate conditions.
- Published
- 2004
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