Study Questions Week 8

General questions about Mars (be sure to include results from Mars Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor)

1. Describe the overall surface of Mars. Know the general characteristics of the southern highlands, the northern plains,  and the uplift areas (Tharsis and Elysium). 

2. How does the northern region differ from the southern region?

3. What is the "chaotic terrain"? Where is it found?

4. Describe the general characteristics of Valles Marineris.

5. Describe the general  characteristics of the Martian  polar caps.

6. Describe the impact craters on Mars. How are they different from those on the Moon?

7. Describe the overall distribution of impact craters.

8.  Describe the surface features that are attributed to running  water on Mars.

9. Describe the evidence for catastrophic flooding on Mars

10. What are the characteristics of "outflow channels" and  "runoff channels"?

11. Describe the evidence for water on Mars.

12.  Describe surface features produced by wind.

13. Why is wind a  more effective agent of erosion on Mars than on the Earth?

14.  Describe surface features produce by slumping (landslides).

15. What are the characteristics of Martian volcanoes?

16. Describe  tectonic features on Mars.

17. Give two examples of how the MGS mission (especially the MOC), has contributed to our understanding of the surface of Mars. Answer in terms of surface processes (e.g. impact cratering, volcanism, tectonics, erosion (water, wind, etc.). 

18. What instruments are on board Mars Global Survey? What does each measure? 

19. On a map of Mars, be able to locate and identify the following surface features:

(Mars map available on line)

 

Questions specific to Mars Pathfinder:

Class generated questions:

  1. What evidence suggests that Mars was once more earth-like than previously believed?
  2. Why was the Ares Vallis chosen as a landing spot for Pathfinder?
  3. Why did geologists expect to find primary basalts on Mars? What did the rocks analyzed by Pathfinder actually show?
  4. What evidence suggests the MPF landing site was once a flood plain?
  5. What difference are there in rocks on Mars’s surface and Martian meteorites? What would explain these differences?
  6. Many of the rocks examined at the MPF site are believed to be volcanic. What was unexpected about the composition of these rocks? Why is this significant?
  7. The Pathfinder found "holey" or "pitted rocks". How could a Martian rock become pitted? Is there more than one possibility?
  8. Name 4 highlights of the Pathfinder mission.

 

My questions:

  1. What were the goals of the Mars Pathfinder Mission?
  2. How does the APXS (alpha particle/xray spectrometer) work? What does it measure?
  3. What other instruments were on Mars Pathfinder? What was their purpose?
  4. Describe Sojourner and its work.
  5. Where did Mars Pathfinder land? What was the scientific reason for choosing this site?
  6. What was new and unusual about Mars Pathfinder's landing?
  7. What evidence did Mar Pathfinder find to support the idea that the landing site was once covered by a catastrophic flood?

 

Study questions from other weeks:

week 1 | week2 | week 3 | week 4 | week 5 | week 6 | week 7 | week 8 | week 9 | week 10 | week 11 | week 12 | week 13 | week 14