PREDICTING MARTIAN AND VENUSIAN METEOR SHOWER ACTIVITY

Based on the number of planet-approaching cometary orbits at Mars and Venus relative to the Earth, there should be ample opportunities for observing meteor activity at those two planets. The ratio of planet-approaching Jupiter family comets (JFCs) at Mars, Earth, and Venus is 4:2:1 indicating that JFC-related outbursts would be more frequent at Mars than the Earth. The relative numbers of planet-approaching Halley-type comets (HTCs) implies that the respective levels of annual meteor activity at those three planets are similar. We identify several instances where near-comet outbursts (Jenniskens, P.: 1995, Astron. Astrophys. 295, 206–235) may occur. A possible double outburst of this type at Venus related to 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Padjusakova may be observable by the ESA Venus Express spacecraft in the summer of 2006. Similarly, the Japanese Planet-C Venus orbiter may observe an outburst related to 27P/Crommelin’s perihelion passage in July 2011. Several additional opportunities exist to observe such outbursts at Mars from 2019 to 2026 associated with comets 38P/Stephan-Oterma, 13P/Olbers and 114P/Wiseman-Skiff.     

低温低压条件下辉石粉末的热导率实验分析:对月球及火星表面热环境研究的指示

在真空条件下矿物粉末热导率的实验测量,可为我们研究月球及行星表面的热属性和热演化,解译热红外和微波探测数据,开展月球及行星探测载荷设计提供重要的数据参数。本研究主要采用改造后的Hot Disk TPS 2500S导热仪对辉石粉末的热导率进行测量。同时,分析了真空度、温度对辉石粉末热导率的影响。实验结果表明:1)热导率随着真空度的降低呈下降趋势,大气压力在1000Pa时,辉石粉末热传导机制发生明显改变。在低压条件下(1000Pa)热导率随真空度的变化趋于平缓;2)辉石粉末热导率随温度的升高而增大,但是增大的幅度在低压和常压条件下存在明显差异。根据实验结果,提出了低压条件下辉石粉末热导率随真空度和温度变化的关系式。本研究表明,在月球和火星表面热环境的研究中,温度和压力对热导率的影响程度是不同的。上述结果对未来开展地外样品的热导率测量提供了重要的参考。     

Shaler: in situ analysis of a fluvial sedimentary deposit on Mars

This paper characterizes the detailed sedimentology of a fluvial sandbody on Mars for the first time and interprets its depositional processes and palaeoenvironmental setting. Despite numerous orbital observations of fluvial landforms on the surface of Mars, ground‐based characterization of the sedimentology of such fluvial deposits has not previously been possible. Results from the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover provide an opportunity to reconstruct at fine scale the sedimentary architecture and palaeomorphology of a fluvial environment on Mars. This work describes the grain size, texture and sedimentary facies of the Shaler outcrop, reconstructs the bedding architecture, and analyses cross‐stratification to determine palaeocurrents. On the basis of bedset geometry and inclination, grain‐size distribution and bedform migration direction, this study concludes that the Shaler outcrop probably records the accretion of a fluvial barform. The majority of the outcrop consists of large‐scale trough cross‐bedding of coarse sand and granules. Palaeocurrent analyses and bedform reconstruction indicate that the beds were deposited by bedforms that migrated towards the north‐east, across the surface of a bar that migrated south‐east. Stacked cosets of dune cross‐bedding suggest aggradation of multiple bedforms, which provides evidence for short periods of sustained flow during Shaler deposition. However, local evidence for aeolian reworking and the presence of potential desiccation cracks within the outcrop suggest that fluvial deposition may have been intermittent. The uppermost strata at Shaler are distinct in terms of texture and chemistry and are inferred to record deposition from a different sediment dispersal system with a contrasting provenance. The outcrop as a whole is a testament to the availability of liquid water on the surface of Mars in its early history.     

火星资源赋存状况及其原位利用技术研究进展与展望

太空资源的勘探及利用是深空探测的重要目的之一。火星是人类最容易到达和资源利用最为迫切的行星,对火星资源进行勘查和原位利用是未来火星载人探测及基地建设需要解决的重要问题。本文对火星大气资源、水资源、土壤与岩石矿物资源、风能与太阳能资源等可利用资源的类型及赋存状况进行了分析,制作了火星资源的全球分布图,并从资源分布的角度提出了未来火星资源探测及火星基地建设的首选区域。同时,本文也总结了火星原位资源利用技术的研究进展及问题,认为未来需要从以下几个方面开展进一步研究：加强火星资源的针对性勘查与评估;开发新的资源利用模式与技术;建立资源利用成本的综合评估模型;完善资源开发与利用相关的法律法规。     

火星生命研究的进展与前景

关于火星是否存在或曾经存在生命的争论由来已久。有人以ALH84001火星陨石新鲜破裂面上的大量碳酸盐小球体和多环芳香烃（PAHs）为主要依据，推论火星至少在13～36亿 aBP前很可能有生命形态存在。然而，很多人认为ALH84001陨石的各种特性可以是非生物成因的。由于地球上的生物在超过115℃的温度下很难存活（火星可与之类比），争论的焦点逐渐集中在碳酸盐球体的形成温度上。也有研究者关注该陨石上有机物质的来源问题。对ALH84001陨石的综合学科研究提出了互相矛盾的证据。综述了自1996年以来在国外各种主要期刊上发表的关于 ALH84001陨石与火星生命的研究成果（也包括了一些对其他火星陨石的研究），认为目前尚不能断言火星生命存在与否。对火星继续深入探索以获取进一步的证据是十分必要的。以美国国家航空和宇航局（NASA）Odys sey宇宙飞船起始的火星探测计划将引发新一轮火星生命研究的热潮。     

Observations of non-LTE emission at 4-5 microns with the planetary Fourier spectrometer abord the Mars Express mission

We report on PFS-MEX (Planetary Fourier Spectrometer on board Mars Express) limb observations of the non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium emission by CO and CO₂ isotopic molecules. The CO emission is observed peaking at altitudes lower than the CO₂ emission peak. Two orbits have been considered, which explore latitudes from 75 to 15° N, located in local time at 11:30 and 06:40, and with Ls=138° and 168°, respectively. In general in the season considered (northern summer) the emission intensity increases going to lower latitudes. The peak emission height is also decreasing with decreasing latitude. The CO₂ isotopic molecules are emitting radiance out of proportion with respect to the normal isotopic abundance, which surely indicates a strong contribution from a large number of much weaker CO₂ bands, a result that will demand careful theoretical modeling. By comparison with Hitran data base we can identify, among the emitting bands, the second hot band for the 626 and 636 molecule, while for the 628 and 627 emission from the third hot bands are very possible. Other minor bands or lines are also observed in emission for the first time in Mars. In one of the two orbits considered, the orbit 1234 of MEX, we also observe at altitudes 80-85 km scattered radiation, with indication of CO₂ ice aerosols as scattering centers. At the same altitude the Pathfinder descending measurements show a temperature that allows CO₂ condensation. Pathfinder measurements were at 03:00 local time, while our observations are for orbit 1234 showing CO₂ ice signature at 11:30 local time. These non-LTE limb emissions, with their unprecedented spectral resolution in this portion of the near infrared and their sensitivity and geographical coverage, will represent in our opinion an excellent data set for testing current theoretical models of the martian upper atmosphere.     

Hydraulic modelling of Athabasca Vallis,Mars

Abstract

Palaeohydraulic modelling is presented for Athabasca Vallis, the youngest known catastrophic flood channel on Mars. This modelling incorporates three significant advantages over previous modelling of Martian channels: a step-backwater hydraulic model; more accurate topography; and improved flood height indicators. The maximum modelled palaeodischarge is between 1 × 10⁶ and 2 × 10⁶m³s^?1 depending on the friction coefficient selected. An anomalously high palaeostage indicator suggests a region of ponded backwater in the channel in which streamlined forms were created through deposition, with the additional possibility of post-flood subsidence/lowering of the channel slope due to magma extrusion.     

The influence of local topography for wind direction on Mars: two examples of dune fields in crater basins

In this work, we perform an analysis of large dark dunes within Moreux Crater and Herschel Crater on Mars using High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and Context Camera (CTX) data sets. These data allow us to conduct a detailed analysis of dune morphology and slip faces, concluding that the studied dune fields are influenced by topographically‐controlled complex wind directions. Our morphological analysis reveals that inside Moreux Crater in particular, the topographic setting dominates the wind flow direction, leading to the development of a sand transport pathway encircling the central peak of the crater. The dune fields in Herschel Crater are also affected by winds controlled by variable topography as suggested by the presence of complex dunes and dune fields. Our analysis indicate that the studied dune systems is not the result of paleo‐wind regimes. Furthermore, we perform thermal inertia measurements using thermal emission spectrometer (TES) data, which indicate that the studied dune fields consist of medium sand 250–500 µm in diameter. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIAL CASE FOR HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION

I will argue that an ambitious programme of human space exploration, involving a return to the Moon, and eventually human missions to Mars, will add greatly to human knowledge. Gathering such knowledge is the primary aim of science, but science’s compartmentalisation into isolated academic disciplines tends to obscure the overall strength of the scientific case. Any consideration of the scientific arguments for human space exploration must therefore take a holistic view, and integrate the potential benefits over the entire spectrum of human knowledge. Moreover, science is only one thread in a much larger overall case for human space exploration. Other threads include economic, industrial, educational, geopolitical and cultural benefits. Any responsibly formulated public space policy must weigh all of these factors before deciding whether or not an investment in human space activities is scientifically and socially desirable.     

Sorted stone circles in Elysium Planitia, Mars: Implications for recent martian climate

We have found sorted stone circles and polygons near the equator of Mars, using new 25 cm/pixel NASA HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) images. The sorted circles occur in geologically recent catastrophic flood deposits in the equatorial Elysium Planitia region, and are diagnostic of periglacial processes: sorted polygons do not form from volcanic activity, as has been suggested for non-sorted polygons in this region. These landforms indicate that (i) a long-lived, geologically recent, active cryoturbation layer of ground ice was present in the regolith, (ii) there was some degree of freeze-thaw, and thus (iii) there were sustained period(s), likely within the last 10 Ma, in which the martian climate was 40 to 60 K warmer than current models predict.