Mapping the Surface of Mapping the Surface of MarsMars

NOAO Science Education Group

and Chris Martin from

Howenstine Magnet High School

Part 1.Part 1.

Main FeaturesMain Features

• Craters

• Volcanos

• Canyons

• Rivers

• Rock Layers

Part 1. Mapping the Surface Part 1. Mapping the Surface of a Planetof a Planet

• http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/remote-sensing/mars/

• Identify geological features

• Determine the surface history– How were these features formed?

– Which features were formed first and are therefore older?

– Which features were formed later and therefore are younger?

• 3 Principles to determining the surface history– Superposition (ages of layers)

– Cross-Cutting Relationships (e.g., rocks can be cut by rocks)

– Horizontal Bedding (rocks deposited by wind or water)

Activity 1Activity 1

• Using the Mars Orbiter Camera to identify the features

• Use the 3 principles to rank from oldest to youngest

Activity 2Activity 2

• Map of thermal infrared energy emitted from Mars

• The “TES” can measure how much energy is being reflected from the surface (albedo).

• Learn about unique geology in the Tharsis Province.

Activity 3Activity 3• The MOLA image

shows the topography or heights, of the region surrounding the three Tharsis Montes volcanoes.

• The color scale below the image helps determine the heights of the features.

Part 2. Mapping the Surface of MarsPart 2. Mapping the Surface of Mars

• http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/remote-sensing/mars/• Take what you know about remote sensing and Mars• Apply it to a set of images of Mars taken so recently that

scientists haven’t had a chance to take a close look at all of them!

• The activity starts with the Viking Orbiter image of all of Mars.• Most of the images are from the High Resolution Imaging

Science Experiment.• More open inquiry

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/gallery/artwork/images/MRO-multispectral-water-cycle.jpg

• HiRISE Flight Structure (approximately 70 cm in diameter by 1.4 m in length)

http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/TRA/TRA_000873_1780/opportunity.html

Global View FirstGlobal View First

• What kinds of features can you make out in this full image of Mars?

• Are they similar to structures you see on Earth? Which ones? • Describe features that you cannot decipher? • Make a comment about what you can say about Mars as a

whole planet?

Surface ID Charts

Crater

Lava Flows

Sand Dunes

Channels

Dust Devil Tracks

Canyons

Volcanoes

Gullies

Fractures

Streamlined Islands

Lava Tubes

Wind Streaks

Context Context SheetsSheets

• What features can you decipher in the zoomed in image that you could decipher in the composite image?

• What features can you decipher on the global image of Mars that you cannot see in this higher resolution/zoomed in image?

• What are things that you cannot decipher in the zoomed in image?

Context Context SheetsSheets

• What features can you make out in the HiRISE image?

• What do they look like?

• How large are they?

• http://www.noao.edu/ education/astro/remote-sensing/mars/

Characterizing FeaturesCharacterizing Features

• Determine the actual sizes of the feature(s).

• Make a list of interesting features you see and their actual sizes.

• Can you think of features on Earth that are about the same size?

• What additional features do you see on the HiRISE image when you zoom in?

• Make a list of possible explanations for what might have caused the features that you see.

• Compare features you see in each images of your city on Earth.

• Characterize your piece of Mars using all the images you have of Mars.

Reporting OutReporting Out

• Make sure to report information that will help other groups understand your region of Mars so that they can compare their own region to yours. It is acceptable to report features and your best speculation as to what they are.

• Be sure to report your evidence and let your community of scientists discuss what you have found.

• Additionally, you may want to comment if you would like to send a robot to land on your part of Mars.

• What pieces of information do you need to think about when making this decision?

• http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/remote-sensing/mars/

Contact InformationContact Information

Connie WalkerNOAO

950 N. Cherry Ave.Tucson, AZ

520-318-8535cwalker@noao.edu

http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/epo/epo.php