Published December 22, 2009
| Version v1
Book chapter
Open
In situ observations of the physical properties of the Martian surface
Description
The physical properties of rocks and soils on the surface
of Mars have been investigated by several landed spacecraft.
Studies of these physical properties constrain interpretation
of Martian geologic processes and provide engineering
data for future mission planning. As on Earth, these properties
vary considerably from place to place, and provide constraints
on the origin and evolution of the surface materials.
Martian soils commonly have thin surface crusts that may
be caused by salts cementing grains together. Estimates
of soil physical properties at the various landing sites are
generally comparable, but rather uncertain in many cases.
Rock physical properties, based on abrasion by the Mars
Exploration Rover (MER) Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) and
other experiments, vary widely.
Files
article.pdf
Files
(6.6 MB)
| Name | Size | Download all |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:45f2d7f1ad93ffa2a2e27c466a06a1c2
|
6.6 MB | Preview Download |