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Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the - Solar System ...

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In situ exploration has documented m<strong>in</strong>eral assemblages <strong>and</strong> aqueous processes that are more<br />

diverse <strong>and</strong> complex than seen from orbital observations. The hematite deposits discovered <strong>in</strong> Meridiani<br />

Planum from orbit 52 were found by Opportunity to also <strong>in</strong>clude jarosite <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r sulfates <strong>and</strong> a<br />

stratigraphic sequence <strong>in</strong>ferred to <strong>in</strong>dicate a sabkha-like environment that underwent wett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> dry<strong>in</strong>g<br />

cycles <strong>and</strong> diagenesis. 53 The Gusev Crater l<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g site has revealed complex volcanic rocks, altered<br />

materials, carbonates, Fe 3+ -hydrated sulfates <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> soils, halide enrichments, <strong>and</strong> silica-rich materials<br />

thought to have <strong>for</strong>med <strong>in</strong> a hydro<strong>the</strong>rmal environment. 54 The soil chemistry at <strong>the</strong> Phoenix l<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g site<br />

<strong>in</strong>cludes <strong>the</strong> presence of perchlorates <strong>and</strong> an <strong>in</strong>ferred slightly basic pH 55 <strong>in</strong> contrast to <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ferred acidsulfate<br />

aqueous systems that may have dom<strong>in</strong>ated <strong>the</strong> wet periods <strong>in</strong> Meridiani Planum <strong>and</strong> Gusev<br />

crater. 56<br />

FIGURES 6.5 Examples of <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>eralogic diversity recorded accessible from a surface rover mission.<br />

This image was taken by Spirit on <strong>the</strong> south side of Husb<strong>and</strong> Hill. Each rover track is 10 cm wide.<br />

SOURCE: NASA/JPL.<br />

PREPUBLICATION COPY—SUBJECT TO FURTHER EDITORIAL CORRECTION<br />

6-16

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