Transcript downloadable here

Mapping the Surface of
Mars
NOAO Science Education Group
and Chris Martin from
Howenstine Magnet High School
Part 1.
Main Features
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Craters
Volcanos
Canyons
Rivers
Rock Layers
Part 1. Mapping the Surface
of 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 1
• Using the
Mars Orbiter
Camera to
identify the
features
• Use the 3
principles to
rank from
oldest to
youngest
Activity 2
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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 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 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
• HiRISE Flight Structure
(approximately 70 cm in diameter by 1.4 m
in length)
Global 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
Sheets
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What features can you
decipher in the zoomed
in image that you could
decipher in the
composite image?
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What features can you
decipher on the global
image of Mars that you
cannot see in this higher
resolution/zoomed in
image?
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What are things that you
cannot decipher in the
zoomed in image?
Context
Sheets
• 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 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 Out
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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.
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Be sure to report your evidence and let your community of scientists
discuss what you have found.
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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?
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http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/remote-sensing/mars/
Contact Information
Connie Walker
NOAO
950 N. Cherry Ave.
Tucson, AZ
520-318-8535
[email protected]
http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/epo/epo.php