Sulfates in the north polar region of Mars detected by OMEGA/Mars Express

Science. 2005 Mar 11;307(5715):1584-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1109091. Epub 2005 Feb 17.

Abstract

The Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces, et l'Activité (OMEGA) imaging spectrometer observed the northern circumpolar regions of Mars at a resolution of a few kilometers. An extended region at 240 degrees E, 85 degrees N, with an area of 60 kilometers by 200 kilometers, exhibits absorptions at wavelengths of 1.45, 1.75, 1.94, 2.22, 2.26, and 2.48 micrometers. These signatures can be unambiguously attributed to calcium-rich sulfates, most likely gypsum. This region corresponds to the dark longitudinal dunes of Olympia Planitia. These observations reveal that water alteration played a major role in the formation of the constituting minerals of northern circumpolar terrains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere
  • Calcium Sulfate*
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Extraterrestrial Environment
  • Geologic Sediments
  • Mars*
  • Minerals
  • Spacecraft
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Sulfates*
  • Temperature
  • Water

Substances

  • Minerals
  • Sulfates
  • Water
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Calcium Sulfate