Structure and transport of the martian surface material

TY - CHAP

T1 - Structure and transport of the martian surface material

AU - Merrison, J. P.

PY - 2009/12/1

Y1 - 2009/12/1

N2 - The driving force for much of the present exploration of our solar system is the search for clues to the origin of life, specifically the search for habitable environments either past or present. In short it is the search for liquid water and of most current interest is the near-surface environment of Mars. After recent intense study, from both the surface of the planet and orbit, Mars reveals itself to be relatively rich in near surface water ice mixed and overlaid by sand and dust at least down to a few meters. Despite the present cold, dry conditions Mars appears to have undergone extremely wet periods at some locations up to geologically recent times. In order to understand the transport of heat and moisture through this near surface material details of its structure, composition and transport mechanisms must be known, which are intimately linked to the nature and history of the Martian climate. Specifically dust is actively transported through the atmosphere, though the process is not understood and wind produced sand features are abundant on Mars, though it is not clear whether sand transport is still active or points towards a previous climatic environment. In this chapter the most recent laboratory simulations and modeling techniques will be presented in the context of current observations from Mars. Advances in instrumentation will also be discussed for application to future Martian surface studies.

AB - The driving force for much of the present exploration of our solar system is the search for clues to the origin of life, specifically the search for habitable environments either past or present. In short it is the search for liquid water and of most current interest is the near-surface environment of Mars. After recent intense study, from both the surface of the planet and orbit, Mars reveals itself to be relatively rich in near surface water ice mixed and overlaid by sand and dust at least down to a few meters. Despite the present cold, dry conditions Mars appears to have undergone extremely wet periods at some locations up to geologically recent times. In order to understand the transport of heat and moisture through this near surface material details of its structure, composition and transport mechanisms must be known, which are intimately linked to the nature and history of the Martian climate. Specifically dust is actively transported through the atmosphere, though the process is not understood and wind produced sand features are abundant on Mars, though it is not clear whether sand transport is still active or points towards a previous climatic environment. In this chapter the most recent laboratory simulations and modeling techniques will be presented in the context of current observations from Mars. Advances in instrumentation will also be discussed for application to future Martian surface studies.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84892104915&partnerID=8YFLogxK

M3 - Book chapter

AN - SCOPUS:84892104915

SN - 9781606922644

SP - 75

EP - 122

BT - Space Exploration Research

PB - Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

ER -