Research and Results

MODULE 5A
Exploring Mars for Past or Present Life

Astrobiology Site SelectionProgress

• Published basic science and implementation strategies to explore for a Martian fossil record.

  • 1999, Farmer, J.D. and D.J. Des Marais, Exploring for a record of ancient Martian life, Journ. Geophys. Res. 104 (E-11), 26,977-26,995;

  • 1999. Farmer, J.D. Implementing a strategy to explore for ancient Martian life, p. 58-65, In Julian Hiscox (Editor) The Search for Life on Mars, British Interplanetary Society, London, 112 pp).

• Identified ~25 high priority Astrobiology sites based global recon using geological and engineering constraints for the 2001 mission.

  • Participated extensively in the landing site selection process for the 2001 mission and presented recommendations for high priority Astrobiology sites at Mars 2001 Landing Site Workshops in 1999.

• Completed detailed mapping at several high priority Astrobiology sites and have started to interpret the hydrological histories of those sites

  • Manuscript in draft form details results of site mapping and geological studies in the Elysium Basin-Terra Cimeria of Mars (see poster by Nelson et al. this meeting).