Interest and design of magnetic properties measurements on planetary and asteroidal landers

Rochette, P.; Gattacceca, J.; Menvielle, M.; Eisenlohr, P.; Chevrier, V. F.

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2004.07.012

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Soil pH levels are known to influence the chemical absorption of ions (Farrah & Pickering 1979;Burt 1981;Yong et al 1998). Magnetic properties of the Martian surface, reflected by magnetic susceptibility (a quantitative measure of the extent to which a material may be magnetised) and saturation magnetism (the maximum possible magnetization of a material), influence how electrical space craft equipment can be operated and offer useful information about the local geology, including the potential involvement of water (Hviid et al 1997;Bertelsen et al 2004;Rochette et al 2004). By identifying suitable electrochemical analogues on Earth, not only can relevant instruments, such as radar and spectrometers, be tested and calibrated, but also analysts can apply systems-based knowledge from analogue sites to less rigorously studied Martian environments.…”

Section: Electrochemicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic host analogues and the search for life on Mars

Marlow

Martins

Sephton

2010

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Mars analogue sites represent vital tools in our continued study of the Red Planet ; the similar physico-chemical processes that shape a given analogue environment on Earth allow researchers to both prepare for known Martian conditions and uncover presently unknown relationships. This review of organic host analogues -sites on Earth that mimic the putatively low organic content of Mars -examines specific locations that present particular Mars-like obstacles to biological processes. Low temperatures, aridity, high radiation and oxidizing soils characterise modernday Mars, while acid-saline waters would have presented their own challenges during the planet's warmer and wetter past. By studying each of these hurdles to life on Earth, scientists can prepare instruments headed for Mars and identify the best locations and approaches with which to look for biological signatures. As our use of organic host analogues becomes increasingly sophisticated, researchers will work to identify terrestrial sites exhibiting multiple Mars-like conditions that are tailored to the distinct mineralogical and physical characteristics of Martian locations. Making use of organic host analogues in these ways will enhance the search for signs of past or present life on Mars.

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Section: Electrochemicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic host analogues and the search for life on Mars

Marlow

Martins

Sephton

2010

International Journal of Astrobiology

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“…1) (Rochette et al, 2004a). The magnetometer, designed for various missions, including Mars Netlander Brauer et al, 2000), has a noise level of 0.01 nT and a range of Ϯ16 T. These fea- tures may not be suitable for the Mars rover: a higher maximum limit is necessary to avoid saturation over the strongly magnetized Noachian crust, and a lower sensitivity can be chosen because of unavoidable rover noise.…”

Section: Application Of Surface Magnetic Field Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spatial variations generated by the rover can be estimated by repeating the operation away from the target. Another option is a fixed gradiometer design (as proposed in Rochette et al, 2004a), optimized to filter the temporal variations but still in need of a strategy to correct for spatial variations.…”

Section: Application Of Surface Magnetic Field Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both targets can be detected or investigated with the proposed COMASP. The COMASP concept derives from the commercial SM30 coil sensor (Rochette et al, 2004a). The calibration and characteristics of measurements using this sensor on natural blocks or surfaces are described in .…”

Section: Application Of Surface Magnetic Susceptibility Measurements mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The detection depth or size scales of these probes are in the 1-50 mm and 5-100 cm ranges, respectively. A previous publication already put forward this concept (Rochette et al, 2004a) and contains technical details on the proposed experiments. However, this publication did not refer specifically to Mars and to astrobiological objectives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Magnetism, Iron Minerals, and Life on Mars

et al. 2006

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A short critical review is provided on two questions linking magnetism and possible early life on Mars: (1) Did Mars have an Earth-like internal magnetic field, and, if so, during which period and was it a requisite for life? (2) Is there a connection between iron minerals in the martian regolith and life? We also discuss the possible astrobiological implications of magnetic measurements at the surface of Mars using two proposed instruments. A magnetic remanence device based on magnetic field measurements can be used to identify Noachian age rocks and lightning impacts. A contact magnetic susceptibility probe can be used to investigate weathering rinds on martian rocks and identify meteorites among the small regolith rocks. Both materials are considered possible specific niches for microorganisms and, thus, potential astrobiological targets. Experimental results on analogues are presented to support the suitability of such in situ measurements.

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Space Weathering of Small Solar System Bodies

Brunetto

2009

Earth Moon Planet

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Interest and design of magnetic properties measurements on planetary and asteroidal landers

Cited by 13 publications

References 42 publications

Organic host analogues and the search for life on Mars

Organic host analogues and the search for life on Mars

Magnetism, Iron Minerals, and Life on Mars

Space Weathering of Small Solar System Bodies

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