Magnetic properties experiments on the Mars Pathfinder lander: preliminary results
1997-12-05 | journal article
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Magnetic properties experiments on the Mars Pathfinder lander: preliminary results
Hviid, S F; Madsen, M B; Gunnlaugsson, H P; Goetz, W. ; Knudsen, J M; Hargraves, R B & Smith, P. et al. (1997)
Science, 278(5344) pp. 1768-1770. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5344.1768
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Details
- Authors
- Hviid, S F; Madsen, M B; Gunnlaugsson, H P; Goetz, W ; Knudsen, J M; Hargraves, R B; Smith, P; Britt, D; Dinesen, A R; Mogensen, C T; Olsen, M; Pedersen, C T; Vistisen, L
- Abstract
- Many of the particles currently suspended in the martian atmosphere are magnetic, with an average saturation magnetization of about 4 A. m2/kg (amperes times square meters per kilogram). The particles appear to consist of claylike aggregates stained or cemented with ferric oxide (Fe2O3); at least some of the stain and cement is probably maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3). The presence of the gamma phase would imply that Fe2+ ions leached from the bedrock, passing through a state as free Fe2+ ions dissolved in liquid water. These particles could be a freeze-dried precipitate from ground water poured out on the surface. An alternative is that the magnetic particles are titanomagnetite occurring in palagonite and inherited directly from a basaltic precursor.
- Issue Date
- 5-December-1997
- Journal
- Science
- ISSN
- 0036-8075
- Language
- English