Climatological targets for Mars Pathfinder

Abstract

Four areas fit within the elevation and latitude constraints: Chryse, Elysium, Amazonis, and Isidis. There is geomorphic evidence that all have supported standing water. In some cases it would be difficult to pick a landing site that had no hope of teaching us about the climatic history of Mars. The southeast Elysium Basin provides an optimal target in which a variety of materials may be accessible in a near-shore environment. The albedo of the region is moderately low, and the thermal inertia is indicative of moderate rock coverage or some consolidation of fines, arguing that the site has not been covered with eolian dust deposits.