6533b821fe1ef96bd127afb2

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Mineralogy at Gusev Crater from the Mössbauer spectrometer on the Spirit Rover.

Steven W. SquyresChristian SchröderP. A. De SouzaE. N. EvlanovB. BernhardtAlbert S. YenRalf GellertE. KankeleitThomas J. WdowiakDouglas W. MingR. V. MorrisDaniel RodionovJ. FohJ. FohFranz RenzPhilipp GütlichGöstar KlingelhöferRaymond E. Arvidson

subject

Geologic SedimentsMaterials scienceExtraterrestrial EnvironmentIronMineralogyMagnesium CompoundsMarsWeatheringPyroxeneengineering.materialFerric CompoundsFerrouschemistry.chemical_compoundSpectroscopy MossbauerImpact craterComposition of MarsMagnetiteMineralsMultidisciplinaryOlivineSilicatesOxidesHematiteFerrosoferric Oxidechemistryvisual_artvisual_art.visual_art_mediumengineeringIron Compounds

description

Mössbauer spectra measured on Mars by the Spirit rover during the primary mission are characterized by two ferrous iron doublets (olivine and probably pyroxene) and a ferric iron doublet (tentatively associated to nanophase ferric iron oxide). Two sextets resulting from nonstoichiometric magnetite are also present, except for a coating on the rock Mazatzal, where a hematite-like sextet is present. Greater proportions of ferric-bearing phases are associated with undisturbed soils and rock surfaces as compared to fresh rock surfaces exposed by grinding. The ubiquitous presence of olivine in soil suggests that physical rather than chemical weathering processes currently dominate at Gusev crater.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2004-08-07Science (New York, N.Y.)
10.1126/science.1100020https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15297666