Nili Fossae
Encyclopedia
Nili Fossae is a fracture in the surface of Mars
that has been eroded and partly filled in by sediments and clay
-rich ejecta
from a nearby crater
. It is located at approximately 22°N, 75°E, and has an elevation of −0.6 km. Nili Fossae was on the list of potential landing sites of the Mars Science Laboratory
, arriving in 2012, but was dropped before the final four sites were determined.
A large exposure of olivine
is located in Nili Fossae. In December 2008, NASA
's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
found that rocks at Nili Fossae contain carbonate minerals
, a geologically significant discovery. Other minerals found by MRO
are aluminum smectite, iron/magnesium smecite, hydrated silica, kaolinite group minerals, and iron oxides. NASA scientists discovered that Nili Fossae is the source of plumes of methane, raising the question of whether this source originates from biological sources.
Researchers in July 2010 suggested that carbonate bearing rocks found in the Nili Fossae region of Mars are made up of hydrothermally altered ultramafic rocks. Consequently, hydrothermal activity would have provided sufficient energy for biological activity. Evidence of living organisms could have been preserved.
It is now believed that Nili Fossae came into being as a result of the giant impact that formed the nearby Isidis basin. Nili Fossae curves in a concentric fashion around Isidis. It has been suggested that the generation of tectonic features like Nili Fossae can be explained by a "Ring Tectonics theory". Possible evidence of 'buried life' was recently found at Nili Fassae.
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
that has been eroded and partly filled in by sediments and clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
-rich ejecta
Ejecta
Ejecta can mean:*In volcanology, particles that came out of a volcanic vent, traveled through the air or under water, and fell back on the ground surface or on the ocean floor...
from a nearby crater
Impact crater
In the broadest sense, the term impact crater can be applied to any depression, natural or manmade, resulting from the high velocity impact of a projectile with a larger body...
. It is located at approximately 22°N, 75°E, and has an elevation of −0.6 km. Nili Fossae was on the list of potential landing sites of the Mars Science Laboratory
Mars Science Laboratory
The Mars Science Laboratory is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration mission with the aim to land and operate a rover named Curiosity on the surface of Mars. The MSL was launched November 26, 2011, at 10:02 EST and is scheduled to land on Mars at Gale Crater between August 6 and 20, 2012...
, arriving in 2012, but was dropped before the final four sites were determined.
A large exposure of olivine
Olivine
The mineral olivine is a magnesium iron silicate with the formula 2SiO4. It is a common mineral in the Earth's subsurface but weathers quickly on the surface....
is located in Nili Fossae. In December 2008, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is a NASA multipurpose spacecraft designed to conduct reconnaissance and Exploration of Mars from orbit...
found that rocks at Nili Fossae contain carbonate minerals
Carbonate minerals
Carbonate minerals are those minerals containing the carbonate ion: CO32-.-Anhydrous carbonates:*Calcite group: Trigonal**Calcite CaCO3**Gaspeite CO3**Magnesite MgCO3**Otavite CdCO3**Rhodochrosite MnCO3**Siderite FeCO3**Smithsonite ZnCO3...
, a geologically significant discovery. Other minerals found by MRO
MRO
-Operations:* maintenance, repair, and operations -Companies:...
are aluminum smectite, iron/magnesium smecite, hydrated silica, kaolinite group minerals, and iron oxides. NASA scientists discovered that Nili Fossae is the source of plumes of methane, raising the question of whether this source originates from biological sources.
Researchers in July 2010 suggested that carbonate bearing rocks found in the Nili Fossae region of Mars are made up of hydrothermally altered ultramafic rocks. Consequently, hydrothermal activity would have provided sufficient energy for biological activity. Evidence of living organisms could have been preserved.
It is now believed that Nili Fossae came into being as a result of the giant impact that formed the nearby Isidis basin. Nili Fossae curves in a concentric fashion around Isidis. It has been suggested that the generation of tectonic features like Nili Fossae can be explained by a "Ring Tectonics theory". Possible evidence of 'buried life' was recently found at Nili Fassae.