In:
Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Vol. 341, No. 6143 ( 2013-07-19), p. 263-266
Abstract:
Volume mixing and isotope ratios secured with repeated atmospheric measurements taken with the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite on the Curiosity rover are: carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), 0.960(±0.007); argon-40 ( 40 Ar), 0.0193(±0.0001); nitrogen (N 2 ), 0.0189(±0.0003); oxygen, 1.45(±0.09) × 10 −3 ; carbon monoxide, 〈 1.0 × 10 −3 ; and 40 Ar/ 36 Ar, 1.9(±0.3) × 10 3 . The 40 Ar/N 2 ratio is 1.7 times greater and the 40 Ar/ 36 Ar ratio 1.6 times lower than values reported by the Viking Lander mass spectrometer in 1976, whereas other values are generally consistent with Viking and remote sensing observations. The 40 Ar/ 36 Ar ratio is consistent with martian meteoritic values, which provides additional strong support for a martian origin of these rocks. The isotopic signature δ 13 C from CO 2 of ~45 per mil is independently measured with two instruments. This heavy isotope enrichment in carbon supports the hypothesis of substantial atmospheric loss.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0036-8075
,
1095-9203
DOI:
10.1126/science.1237966
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publication Date:
2013
detail.hit.zdb_id:
128410-1
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2066996-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2060783-0
SSG:
11
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