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Initial results from the Mini-TES experiment in Gusev crater from the Spirit rover

  • P. R. Christensen
  • , S. W. Ruff
  • , R. L. Fergason
  • , A. T. Knudson
  • , S. Anwar
  • , R. E. Arvidson
  • , J. L. Bandfield
  • , D. L. Blaney
  • , C. Budney
  • , W. M. Calvin
  • , T. D. Glotch
  • , M. P. Golombek
  • , N. Gorelick
  • , T. G. Graff
  • , V. E. Hamilton
  • , A. Hayes
  • , J. R. Johnson
  • , H. Y. McSween
  • , G. L. Mehall
  • , L. K. Mehall
  • J. E. Moersch, R. V. Morris, A. D. Rogers, M. D. Smith, S. W. Squyres, M. J. Wolff, M. B. Wyatt
  • Arizona State University
  • Washington University St. Louis
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
  • University of Nevada, Reno
  • University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
  • Cornell University
  • United States Geological Survey
  • University of Tennessee
  • NASA Johnson Space Center
  • NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Space Science Institute

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

153 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) on Spirit has studied the mineralogy and thermophysical properties at Gusev crater. Undisturbed soil spectra show evidence for minor carbonates and bound water. Rocks are olivine-rich basalts with varying degrees of dust and other coatings. Dark-toned soils observed on disturbed surfaces may be derived from rocks and have derived mineralogy (±5 to 10%) of 45% pyroxene (20% Ca-rich pyroxene and 25% pigeonite), 40% sodic to intermediate plagioclase, and 15% olivine (forsterite 45% ±5 to 10). Two spectrally distinct coatings are observed on rocks, a possible indicator of the interaction of water, rock, and airfall dust. Diurnal temperature data indicate particle sizes from 40 to 80 μm in hollows to ∼0.5 to 3 mm in soils.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)837-842
Number of pages6
JournalScience
Volume305
Issue number5685
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 6 2004

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