Engineering topics

McEwen, Alfred S.

Publications and source records attributed to McEwen, Alfred S..

8 records

DOE OSTI2020

A New Crater Near InSight: Implications for Seismic Impact Detectability on Mars

A new 1.5 m diameter impact crater was discovered on Mars only ~40 km from the InSight lander. Context camera images constrained its formation between 21 February and 6 April 2019; follow-up High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment images resolved the crater. During this time period, three seismic events were identified in InSight data. In this paper, we derive expected seismic signal characteristics and use them to evaluate each of the seismic events. However, none of them can definitively be associated with this source. Atmospheric perturbations are generally expected to be generated during impacts; however, in this case, no signal could be identified as related to the known impact. Using scaling relationships based on the terrestrial and lunar analogs and numerical modeling, we predict the amplitude, peak frequency, and duration of the seismic signal that would have emanated from this impact. The predicted amplitude falls near the lowest levels of the measured seismometer noise for the predicted frequency. Hence, it is not surprising this impact event was not positively identified in the seismic data. Finding this crater was a lucky event as its formation this close to InSight has a probability of only ~0.2, and the odds of capturing it in before and after images are extremely low. We revisit impact-seismic discriminators in light of real experience with a seismometer on the Martian surface. Using measured noise of the instrument, we revise our previous prediction of seismic impact detections downward, from ~a few to tens, to just ~2 per Earth year, still with an order of magnitude uncertainty.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS2018

The NASA Roadmap to Ocean Worlds

In this article, we summarize the work of the NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Roadmaps to Ocean Worlds (ROW) group. The aim of this group is to assemble the scientific framework that will guide the exploration of ocean worlds, and to identify and prioritize science objectives for ocean worlds over the next several decades. The overarching goal of an Ocean Worlds exploration program as defined by ROW is to “identify ocean worlds, characterize their oceans, evaluate their habitability, search for life, and ultimately understand any life we find.” The ROW team supports the creation of an exploration program that studies the full spectrum of ocean worlds, that is, not just the exploration of known ocean worlds such as Europa but candidate ocean worlds such as Triton as well. The ROW team finds that the confirmed ocean worlds Enceladus, Titan, and Europa are the highest priority bodies to target in the near term to address ROW goals. Triton is the highest priority candidate ocean world to target in the near term. A major finding of this study is that, to map out a coherent Ocean Worlds Program, significant input is required from studies here on Earth; rigorous Research and Analysis studies are called for to enable some future ocean worlds missions to be thoughtfully planned and undertaken. A second finding is that progress needs to be made in the area of collaborations between Earth ocean scientists and extraterrestrial ocean scientists.

Hendrix, Amanda R.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Geologic Mapping of the Chaac-Camaxtli Region of Io from Galileo Imaging Data

We produced a geologic/geomorphologic map of the Chaac-Camaxtli region of Io's leading anti-Jovian hemisphere using regional resolution ( 186 m/pixel) Galileo imaging data collected during orbit I27 (February 2000) integrated with lower resolution (1.4 km/pixel) color data, along with other Galileo imaging and spectral data. This is the first regional map of Io made from Galileo data. Nine color and geomorphologic units have been mapped, and the close proximity of dark and various colored bright materials suggests that there is an intimate interaction between (presumably) silicate magmas and sulfur-bearing volatile materials that produced a variety of explosive and effusive deposits in the recent geologic past. This region of Io is dominated by 11 volcanic centers, most of which are paterae that are analogous in morphology to terrestrial calderas but larger in size. Mapping of structural features indicates that most of the active regions occur in topographic lows, and less active or inactive paterae are associated with topographic highs. This indicates that crustal thickness variations influence magma access to the surface. Surface changes in this region since the Voyager flybys are relatively minor (additional bright and dark flows, color changes), although several active vents have migrated within paterae. This observation, along with the identification of the relatively regular spacing of paterae (approx. 100 - 150 km) along a line, may indicate there are multiple interlacing fractures in the crust that serve as magma conduits from the interior. This connection between volcanism and tectonism may have implications for tidal heating mechanisms and their effect on Io's lithosphere. Some inactive patera floors may be evolving into bright plains material, which, if composed of silicates, might explain the strength of Io's crust to support steep patera walls and tall mountains.

Williams, David A.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Geologic Mapping of the Chaac-Camaxtli Region of Io from Galileo Imaging Data

We produced a geologic/geomorphologic map of the Chaac-Camaxtli region of Io's leading anti-Jovian hemisphere using regional resolution (186 m/pixel) Galileo imaging data collected during orbit I27 (February 2000) integrated with lower resolution (1.4 km/pixel) color data, along with other Galileo imaging and spectral data. This is the first regional map of Io made from Galileo data. Nine color and geomorphologic units have been mapped, and the close proximity of dark and various colored bright materials suggests that there is an intimate interaction between (presumably) silicate magmas and sulfur-bearing volatile materials that produced a variety of explosive and effusive deposits in the recent geologic past. This region of Io is dominated by 11 volcanic centers, most of which are paterae that are analogous in morphology to terrestrial calderas but larger in size. Mapping of structural features indicates that most of the active regions occur in topographic lows, and less active or inactive paterae are associated with topographic highs. This indicates that crustal thickness variations influence magma access to the surface. Surface changes in this region since the Voyager flybys (1979) are relatively minor (additional bright and dark flows, color changes), although several active vents have migrated within paterae. This observation, along with the identification of the relatively regular spacing of paterae (approx. 100- 150 km) along a line, may indicate there are multiple interlacing fractures in the crust that serve as magma conduits from the interior. This connection between volcanism and tectonism may have implications for tidal heating mechanisms and their effect on Io's lithosphere. Some inactive patera floors may be evolving into bright plains material, which, if composed of silicates, might explain the strength of Io's crust to support steep patera walls and tall mountains.

Williams, David A.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Landform Degradation and Slope Processes on Io: The Galileo View

The Galileo mission has revealed remarkable evidence of mass movement and landform degradation on Io. We recognize four major slope types observed on a number of intermediate resolution (250 m/pixel) images and several additional textures on very high resolution (10 m/pixel) images. Slopes and scarps on Io often show evidence of erosion, seen in the simplest form as alcove-carving slumps and slides at all scales. Many of the mass movement deposits on Io are probably mostly the consequence of block release and brittle slope failure. Sputtering plays no significant role. Sapping as envisioned by McCauley et al. remains viable. We speculate that alcove-lined canyons seen in one observation and lobed deposits seen along the bases of scarps in several locations may reflect the plastic deformation and 'glacial' flow of interstitial volatiles (e.g., SO2) heated by locally high geothermal energy to mobilize the volatile. The appearance of some slopes and near-slope surface textures seen in very high resolution images is consistent with erosion from sublimation-degradation. However, a suitable volatile (e.g., H2S) that can sublimate fast enough to alter Io's youthful surface has not been identified. Disaggregation from chemical decomposition of solid S2O and other polysulfur oxides may conceivably operate on Io. This mechanism could degrade landforms in a manner that resembles degradation from sublimation, and at a rate that can compete with resurfacing.

Moore, Jeffrey M.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Multispectral Mapping of the Moon by Clementine

One of the chief scientific objectives of the Clementine mission at the Moon was to acquire global multispectral mapping. A global digital map of the Moon in 11 spectral bandpasses and at a scale of 100 m/pixel is being produced at the U.S. Geological Survey in Flagstaff Arizona Near-global coverage was acquired with the UVVIS camera (central wavelengths of 415, 750, 900, 950, and 1000 nm) and the NIR camera (1102, 1248, 1499, 1996, 2620, and 2792 nary). We expect to complete processing of the UVVIS mosaics before the fall of 1998, and to complete the NIR mosaics a year later. The purpose of this poster is to provide an update on the processing and to show examples of the products or perhaps even a wall-sized display of color products from the UVVIS mosaics.

Eliason, Eric M.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Large Impact Features on Europa: Results of the Galileo Nominal Mission

The Galileo Orbiter examined several impact features on Europa at considerably better resolution than was possible from Voyager. The new data allow us to describe the morphology and infer the geology of the largest impact features on Europa, which are probes into the crust. We observe two basic types of large impact features: (1) "classic" impact craters that grossly resemble well-preserved lunar craters of similar size but are more topographically subdued (e.g., Pwyll) and (2) very flat circular features that lack the basic topographic structures of impact craters such as raised rims, a central depression, or central peaks, and which largely owe their identification as impact features to the field of secondary craters radially sprayed about them (e.g., Callanish). Our interpretation is that the classic craters (all <30 km diameter) formed entirely within a solid target at least 5 to 10 km thick that exhibited brittle behavior on time scales of the impact events. Some of the classic craters have a more subdued topography than fresh craters of similar size on other icy bodies such as Ganymede and Callisto, probably due to the enhanced viscous relaxation produced by a steeper thermal gradient on Europa. Pedestal ejecta facies on Europa (and Ganymede) may be produced by the relief-flattening movement of plastically deforming but otherwise solid ice that was warm at the time of emplacement. Callanish and Tyre do not appear to be larger and even more viscously relaxed versions of the classic craters; rather they display totally different morphologies such as distinctive textures and a series of large concentric structural rings cutting impact-feature-related materials. Impact simulations suggest that the distinctive morphologies would not be produced by impact into a solid ice target, but may be explained by impact into an ice layer approximately 10 to 15 km thick overlying a low-viscosity material such as water. The very wide (near antipodal) separation of Callanish and Tyre imply that approximately 10-15 km may have been the global average thickness of the rigid crust of Europa when these impacts occurred. The absence of detectable craters superposed on the interior deposits of Callanish suggests that it is geologically young (< 10(exp 8) years). Hence, it seems likely that our preliminary conclusions about the subsurface structure of Europa apply to the current day.

Moore, Jeffrey M.↗

NASA NTRS1997

The Phanerozoic Impact Cratering Rate: Evidence from the Farside of the Moon

The relatively recent (< 1 b.y.) flux of asteroids and comets forming large craters on the Earth and Moon may be accurately recorded by craters with bright rays on the Moon's farside. Many previously unknown farside rayed craters are clearly distinguished in the low-phase-angle images returned by the Clementine spacecraft. Some large rayed craters on the lunar nearside are probably significantly older than 1 Ga; rays remain visible over the maria due to compositional contrasts long after soils have reached optical maturity. Most of the farside crust has a more homogeneous composition and only immature rays are visible. The size-frequency distribution of farside rayed craters is similar to that measured for Eratosthenian craters (up to 3.2 b.y.) at diameters larger than 15 km. The areal density of farside rayed craters matches that of a corrected tabulation of nearside Copernican craters. Hence the presence of bright rays due to immature soils around large craters provides a consistent time-stratigraphic basis for defining the base of the Copernican System. The density of large craters less than approximately 3.2 b.y. old is approximately 3.2 times higher than that of large farside rayed craters alone. This observation can be interpreted in two ways: (1) the average cratering rate has been constant over the past 3.2 b.y. and the base of the Copernican is approximately 1 Ga, or (2) the cratering rate has increased in recent geologic time and the base of the Copernican is less than 1 Ga. We favor the latter interpretation because the rays of Copernicus (800-850 m.y. old) appear to be very close to optical maturity, suggesting that the average Copernican cratering rate was approximately 35% higher than the average Eratosthenian rate. Other lines of evidence for an increase in the Phanerozoic (545 Ga) cratering rate are (1) the densities of small craters superimposed on Copernicus and Apollo landing sites, (2) the rates estimated from well-dated terrestrial craters (< 120 m.y.) and from present-day astronomical observations, and (3) the Proterozoic rate suggested by the crater record of Australia. The hypothesis most consistent with several key observations is that the cratering rate has increased by approximately 2x during the past approximately 300 m.y..

McEwen, Alfred S.↗