ANYL 122 |
| The NASA Phoenix Mars Lander is set to launch in less than 500 days, and an important mission objective will be wet chemistry soil analysis by 4 MECA-WCL analyzers on the lander. These results will help shed light on many unanswered questions concerning the history of Mars, specifically whether there was an ancient ocean on the north lowlands. It has long been hypothesized that Mars once had a vast ocean covering half the surface; recent information from various Martian Orbiters are providing even further support for an ancient Martian ocean. But in situ definitive tests have yet to be performed. Ion selective electrodes (ISEs) onboard the Phoenix Lander will analyze Martian soil for soluble salts and evaporates; evidence for an ancient ocean. In preparation for this mission, the chemical analysis of five official NASA Martian stimulant samples were thoroughly analyzed with an array of ISEs. Dissolution rates and leeching of soluble minerals and ions from the samples were also objectives. The known Martian meteorite EETA 79001 was chemically examined in a similar fashion as will be performed on Mars. This novel wet chemistry analysis on a Martian meteorite was performed via ISEs as well as ion chromatography, which also served as verification to the ISEs. This unique opportunity allowed for potentially similar dissolution and leeching rates as might be observed on Mars. This analytical method development and results will prove invaluable for the Phoenix mission's exploration of Mars. |
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General Papers
7:00 PM-9:00 PM, Sunday, 10 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster
Division of Analytical Chemistry |