Jarosite and hematite at Meridiani Planum from Opportunity's Mossbauer Spectrometer.
Mossbauer spectra measured by the Opportunity rover revealed four mineralogical components in Meridiani Planum at Eagle crater: jarosite- and hematite-rich outcrop, hematite-rich soil, olivine-bearing basaltic soil, and a pyroxene-bearing basaltic rock (Bounce rock). Spherules, interpreted to be concretions, are hematite-rich and dispersed throughout the outcrop. Hematitic soils both within and outside Eagle crater are dominated by spherules and their fragments. Olivine-bearing basaltic soil is present throughout the region. Bounce rock is probably an impact erratic. Because jarosite is a hydroxide sulfate mineral, its presence at Meridiani Planum is mineralogical evidence for aqueous processes on Mars, probably under acid-sulfate conditions.
Klingelhöfer
G
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Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Staudinger Weg 9, D-55128 Mainz, Germany. phil.christensen@asu.edu
Morris
R V
RV
Bernhardt
B
B
Schröder
C
C
Rodionov
D S
DS
de Souza
P A
PA
Yen
A
A
Gellert
R
R
Evlanov
E N
EN
Zubkov
B
B
Foh
J
J
Bonnes
U
U
Kankeleit
E
E
Gütlich
P
P
Ming
D W
DW
Renz
F
F
Wdowiak
T
T
Squyres
S W
SW
Arvidson
R E
RE
D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D058085:Iron Compounds; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D018535:Mars; D008903:Minerals; D017640:Silicates; D018531:Spacecraft; D015204:Spectroscopy, Mossbauer; D013431:Sulfates; D014867:Water
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D058085:Iron Compounds; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D008903:Minerals; D017640:Silicates; D013431:Sulfates; C060346:basalt; C492331:jarosite; D014867:Water; C092478:pyroxene; C000499:ferric oxide; C034475:olivine