Investigating ancient sediment fans on Mars

火星古三角洲是评估火星宜居性和寻找火星古生命的重要勘探目标。然而，根据轨道图像区分三角洲和冲积扇并不容易。本项目将研究识别不同类型沉积物扇的标准。该项目将调查氧平原的沉积物扇，这是欧洲航天局2023年漫游车的着陆点。沉积物扇将使用完整的高分辨率成像科学实验（HiRISE）图像进行绘制，并以每像素25厘米的速度导出扇的DEM覆盖范围，并辅以彩色和立体表面成像系统（CaSSiS）和热辐射成像系统（THEMIS）仪器的图像。该地质图将用于重建沉积扇的演化并确定其起源。氧沉积扇将与火星上的其他沉积扇进行比较。这个博士项目还将关注“好奇号”探测器在盖尔陨石坑的任务，在那里将利用探测器的数据探索潜在的沉积物扇，并与之前的轨道数据解释进行比较。

Ancient deltas on Mars are important exploration targets in the assessment for habitability and search for ancient life on Mars. However, distinguishing between deltas and alluvial fans is not easy based on orbital imagery. This project will investigate criteria for identifying different types of sediment fan. The project will investigate the sediment fan in Oxia Planum, the landing site of the European Space Agency's rover in 2023. The sediment fan will be mapped using the complete High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images and derived DEM coverage of the fan at 25 cm per pixel, supplemented with images from the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSiS) and the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instruments. The geological map will be used to reconstruct the evolution of the sediment fan and determine its origin. The Oxia sediment fan will be compared to other examples of sediment fans on Mars. This PhD project will also focus on the Cursioity rover mission at Gale crater, where potential sediment fans will be explored using data from the rover and compared to previous interpretations from orbital data.