Catherine Weitz
2007 Annual Report

I. Publications

Papers

McEwen, A., C. Hansen, A. Delamere, E. Eliason, K. Herkenhoff, L. Keszthelyi, V. Gulick, R. Kirk, M. Mellon, J. Grant, N. Thomas, C. Weitz, S. Squyres, N. Bridges, S. Murchie, F. Seelos, K. Seelos, C. Okubo, M. Milazzo, L. Tornabene, W. Jaeger, S. Byrne, P. Russell, J. Griffes, S. Martinez-Alonso, A. Devatzes, F. Chuang, B. Thomson, K. Fishbaugh, C. Dundas, K. Kolb, M. Banks, J. Wray, A closer look at water-related geologic activity on Mars, Science, 317, 1706-1709, 2007.

Minitti, M. E., C. M. Weitz, M. D. Lane and J. L. Bishop, Morphology, Chemistry and Spectral Properties of Hawaiian Rock Coatings and Implications for Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 112, E05015, doi:10.1029/2006JE002839, 2007.

McEwen, A.S., E.M. Eliason, J.W. Bergstrom, N.T. Bridges, C.J. Hansen, W. A. Delamere, J.A. Grant, V.C. Gulick, K.E. Herkenhoff, L/ Keszthelyi, R.L. Kirk, M.T. Mellon, S.W. Squyres, N. Thomas, and C.M. Weitz, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), J. Geophys. Res., 112, E05S02, doi:10.1029/2005JE002605, 2007.

Abstracts

Weitz, C.M., A.S. McEwen, R.E. Milliken, J.A. Grant, and the HiRISE team, MRO observations of light-toned layered deposits along the plains adjacent to Valles Marineris, Fall AGU, 2007.

Weitz, C.M., A. S. McEwen, and the HiRISE team, HiRISE observations of layered deposits in and around Valles Marineris, Spring AGU, Acapulco, 2007.

Beyer, R.A., C. M. Weitz, B. J. Thompson, J. M. Moore, A. S. McEwen, and the HiRISE team, HiRISE observations of Valles Marineris layering, 7^th International Conference on Mars, Abstract 3310, 2007.

L.H. Roach, J.F. Mustard, S.L. Murchie, J.L. Bishop, C.M. Weitz, A.T. Knudson, J.P. Bibring, S.M. Pelkey, B.L. Ehlmann, and the CRISM team, Magnesium and iron sulfate variety and distribution in East Candor and Capri Chasma, Valles Marineris, 7^th International Conference on Mars, Abstract 3223, 2007.

Knudson, A.T., R.E. Arvidson, P.R. Christensen, S.L. Murchie, J.F. Mustard, L.H. Roach, C.M. Weitz, S.M. Wiseman, and the CRISM team, Aqueous geology in Valles Marineris: New insights in the relationship of hematite and sulfates from CRISM and HiRISE, 7^th International Conference on Mars, Abstract 3370, 2007.

Weitz, C. M., A. S. McEwen, C. H. Okubo, P. Russell, J. A. Grant, C. Dundas, N. Bridges, and the HiRISE team, Early HiRISE observations of light-toned layered deposits, In Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII, Abstract 1442, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston (CD-ROM), 2007.

II. Ongoing research

(A) Weitz is a Co-Investigator on the HiRISE camera that is now orbiting around Mars on the MRO spacecraft. HiRISE is taking images at the highest resolution of any camera around Mars, with 30 cm/pixel resolution. Weitz is interested in the light-toned layered rocks on Mars and has been using the HiRISE images to explore the morphologies and origins for these deposits (Figure 1). She is also busy targeting the camera and prioritizing targets entered by anyone on sedimentary and layered deposits.

Figure 1. Portion of HiRISE false-color image showing layering along the plains adjacent to Juventae Chasma, Mars.

(B) Weitz has continued her work in support of a Mars Data Analysis Program grants where she is the PI. Her work on Valles Marineris is now focusing on small areas in Valles Marineris where the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) has identified gray hematite (Figure 2). She has completed a plublication with other PSI scientists Melissa Lane, Mathew Staid, and Eldar Noe on the hematite-bearing units within Ophir and Candor Chasmata. Our conclusions from this research are that the hematite is concentrated in lag deposits in a similar manner to what has been seen at the Opportunity landing site in Meridiani Planum. The team hopes to continue these studies on other hematite regions in eastern Valles Marineris.

Figure 2. Portion of HRSC image that shows the TES-derived hematite abundance in Ophir Chasma. Colors indicate different abundances of gray hematite with red and yellows higher abundances than blues and green. The hematite correlates strongly to dark debris concentrated in a topographic basin within Ophir Chasma.