Missions to Mars

Valerie Fox

PhD Candidate

Washington University Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

 

September 26, 2015   11am - 1pm  

 

The ancient rock record of our neighboring planet, Mars, holds significant clues about the planet’s watery past and the possibility of habitable environments in its early history. Currently, two rovers are exploring the Martian surface, studying the geologic record much like a human field geologist would, mapping ancient lake beds and impact craters and teasing out information about past environmental conditions. The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity landed in Merdiani Planum in January 2004, and has driven 42.5 km over a vast plains region to the rim of a 22 km-wide impact crater where it is investigating the rocks for evidence of aqueous alteration. On the other side of Mars, the Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, which landed in 2012, has discovered ancient dry stream and lake beds, and is characterizing the sedimentary stratigraphy in Gale Crater. Both rovers have found evidence for ancient hydrologic systems, and environments that once may have been hospitable for life.  Come learn about the most recent rover activities, the implications for life on other planets and the future of Mars exploration!

 

 

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