Magnetic properties experiments on the Mars exploration rover Spirit at Gusev crater

P. Bertelsen, W. Goetz, M. B. Madsen, K. M. Kinch, S. F. Hviid, J. M. Knudsen, H. P. Gunnlaugsson, J. Merrison, P. Nørnberg, S. W. Squyres, J. F. Bell, K. E. Herkenhoff, S. Gorevan, A. S. Yen, T. Myrick, G. Klingelhöfer, R. Rieder, R. Gellert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

The magnetic properties experiments are designed to help identify the magnetic minerals in the dust and rocks on Mars-and to determine whether liquid water was involved in the formation and alteration of these magnetic minerals. Almost all of the dust particles suspended in the martian atmosphere must contain ferrimagnetic minerals (such as maghemite or magnetite) in an amount of ∼2% by weight. The most magnetic fraction of the dust appears darker than the average dust. Magnetite was detected in the first two rocks ground by Spirit.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)827-829
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume305
Issue number5685
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 6 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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