2010 Annual Research Report

 

 

Yingst focused on a number of topics in 2010. They included:

 

Morphology and Texture of Rock Outcrops and Clasts

The morphologic and textural characteristics of exposed outcrop and loose surface particles (clasts) provide a record of active sorting and abrasive processes. On Earth, morphological characteristics such as shape, texture, fabric and roundness are commonly used to help determine important aspects of a particle’s origin and abrasion history (transport, deposition and wear), even in locations where the source outcrop is not immediately obvious. Because they can be assessed qualitatively and quantitatively to a high degree of accuracy, morphologic characteristics have the potential to give meaning to physical characteristics. (Note below, where the roundness of particles increases with transport distance). Texture reveals the often more subtle effects of secondary or low-energy processes.

 

 

 

For the past six years I have assessed and analyzed macro- and microscale characteristics of loose particles at the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit landing site to categorize and better understand the surface processes responsible for their emplacement, transport and wear. In addition, I have photodocumented thousands of clast micromorphologic characteristics in the field. These I use to identify and interpret microtextures as clues to clast formation, alteration, and transport. I will continue this work as Co-Investigator on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI).

 

Mapping of small, rocky bodies

Creating a coherent, end-to-end understanding of a particular geologic process hinges upon the utilization and effective blending of a variety of methods of data collection and analysis. The characteristics of a planet's geologic deposits, as manifested on the surface, provide clues to its evolution. In this context, my research focuses on the relationship of the morphology and composition of effusive lunar eruptions to the ascent and subsequent extrusion of the associated magma. My approach combines "traditional" photogeologic mapping techniques and multispectral data analysis to characterize geologic units.  Most recently, my work includes geologic mapping of Lunar Quadrangle (LQ) 29 (as PI), and LQ10, under Dr. Tracy Gregg. Additionally, I am a Participating Scientist on the Dawn at Vesta mission, where my goal is to create an iterative map of the surface that will evolve as it is informed by data from subsequent orbits.

 

Semi-autonomous Rover Operational Strategies

Robotic semi-autonomous roving vehicles are designed to perform many of the functions of a field geologist. The robotic exploration of planetary field sites is an outgrowth of field methods on Earth, where in any field situation geologists must determine how best to adapt general field methods to the environment and science questions at hand. Scientists are tasked with developing the appropriate field techniques to utilize these instruments to answer the science questions posed.

            The methodology used in remote, rover-driven field studies is derived from terrestrial field methods — that is, operational strategy, or the manner and sequence in which instruments are used to answer scientific questions. However, that methodology must be adjusted for the unique problems associated with conducting work remotely, and for the abilities of the rovers in their specific environments.

            I am conducting field tests of lunar analog sites using rover-inspired field methodologies, to (1) test how well strategies learned on Mars by the MERs optimize science return from lunar rover missions; and (2) identify changes that will need to be made for the unique differences introduced by the lunar architecture. In 2010, this work included field tests at Cerro de Santa Clara volcanic neck in New Mexico, and participation by invitation in the NASA Desert-RATS field test in Arizona.

 

 

Looking inside the Space Excursion Vehicle (SEV) during the Desert RATS field test. I admit I'm not in this picture, but that's Dr. Jake Bleacher (left) and Dr. Stan Love (right) talking to me on the comm line. Seriously, check out that hood ornament.

Papers:     

 

 

Yingst, R.A., L.S. Crumpler, R. Li, and P. de Souza (2010), Yingst, R.A., L. Crumpler, W.H. Farrand, R. Li, and P. de Souza (2010), Constraints on the geologic history of “Home Plate” materials provided by clast morphology and texture, J. Geophys. Res., 115, E00F13, doi:10.1029/2010JE003668.

 

Yingst, R.A., M. E. Schmidt, R. C. F. Lentz, Jason L. Janzen, and Kim R. Kuhlman (2010), A Mars-oriented image database of hand lens-scale features and textures:  The 1996 Skeidarársandur Jökulhlaup example, GSA Spec. Pap., in press.

 

Farrand, W.H., M.D. Lane, B.R. Edwards, and R.A. Yingst (2010), Spectral evidence of volcanic cryptodomes on the northern plains of Mars, Icarus, 211-1, 139-156, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2010.09.006..

 

 

 

 

 Abstracts:

 

Yingst, R.A., B.A. Cohen, L. Crumpler, M. Schmidt, and C. Schrader (2010) Testing science-driven methodologies for semi-autonomous rovers on the Moon. GSA Abs. & Prog., 176149.

Yingst, R.A., L.S. Crumpler, R. Li, P. de Souza, and the Athena Science Team (2010). Shape, roundness and texture of particles along the Spirit rover traverse from sol 750 to sol 1824, LPSC 41, 1276.

 

Farrand, W.H., J.R. Johnson, J.F. Bell, R.A. Yingst, and C.M. Weitz (2010). Distinguishing martian "erratics" from meteorites at Meridiani Planum using Pancam:  Comparing Marquette Island to Meridiani cobbles, LPSC 41.

 

Kuhlman, K.R., J.L. Janzen, M. Weingarten, M. Christensen, and R.A. Yingst (2010). Optical microscopy of a Mars analog from the 1996 Skeidarár Jökulhlaup, LPSC 41..

 

Mittlefehldt, D.W., R. Gellert, K.E. Herkenhoff, R.V. Morris, B.C. Clark, B.A. Cohen, I. Fleischer, B.L. Jolliffe, G. Klingelhöfer, D.W. Ming, R.A. Yingst, and the Athena Science Team (2010). Marquette Island:  A distinct mafic lithology discovered by Opportunity, LPSC 41.