| タイトル | Atmospheric Entry Studies and the Smallest Impact Craters on Mars |
| 著者（英） | Mitchell, C. M.; Hoerz, F.; Cintala, M. J.; Dobarco-Otero, J.; Finch, B. K.; Smith, R. N.; Rochelle, W. C.; See, T. H. |
| 著者所属（英） | NASA Johnson Space Center |
| 発行日 | 2004-01-01
2004 |
| 言語 | eng |
| 内容記述 | High-resolution images from the Mars Orbiter Camera reveal impact craters as small as 10 m [1], and still smaller craters (< 0.5 m) have been inferred from surface boulders at the Pathfinder landing site [2]. Any small-scale impact environment at scales of meters or smaller would obviously be a potent contributor to erosive processes on Mars, to the small-scale evolution of its surface, and to mineralogic/ compositional alterations of its surface materials. It is not very clear from the analysis of Viking and Pathfinder images, however, what the smallest craters are on Mars. As a consequence, it might be informative to consult atmospheric-entry calculations that specify the smallest meteoroid able to survive passage through the present martian atmosphere. We conducted such calculations and perceive them as providing useful constraints for understanding small-scale surface processes on Mars and as possible guides for the interpretation of surface images from past and future lander missions. |
| NASA分類 | Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration |
| 権利 | Copyright, Distribution under U.S. Government purpose rights |
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