Exploration of Victoria crater by the mars rover opportunity

S. W. Squyres, A. H. Knoll, R. E. Arvidson, J. W. Ashley, James Bell, W. M. Calvin, Philip Christensen, B. C. Clark, B. A. Cohen, P. A. De Souza, L. Edgar, W. H. Farrand, I. Fleischer, R. Gellert, M. P. Golombek, J. Grant, J. Grotzinger, A. Hayes, K. E. Herkenhoff, J. R. JohnsonB. Jolliff, G. Klingelhöfer, A. Knudson, R. Li, T. J. McCoy, S. M. McLennan, D. W. Ming, D. W. Mittlefehldt, R. V. Morris, J. W. Rice, C. Schröder, R. J. Sullivan, A. Yen, R. A. Yingst

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

131 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Mars rover Opportunity has explored Victoria crater, a ∼750-meter eroded impact crater formed in sulfate-rich sedimentary rocks. Impact-related stratigraphy is preserved in the crater walls, and meteoritic debris is present near the crater rim. The size of hematite-rich concretions decreases up-section, documenting variation in the intensity of groundwater processes. Layering in the crater walls preserves evidence of ancient wind-blown dunes. Compositional variations with depth mimic those ∼6 kilometers to the north and demonstrate that water-induced alteration at Meridiani Planum was regional in scope.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1058-1061
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume324
Issue number5930
DOIs
StatePublished - May 22 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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