Planning for the Scientific Exploration of Mars by Humans By the mepag human Exploration of Mars Science Analysis Group (hem-sag)
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Science Goals To Be AddressedResearch at Centauri Montes would be focused on MEPAG goal number 1: “Determine If Life Ever Arose on Mars.” Specific investigations are summarized in Table 11. Table 11. Proposed MEPAG Investigations at Centauri Montes and Approach.
Other Disciplinary ScienceBesides the biological targets, a number of sites of interest exist from a geological perspective within 100 km of the target crater. Of particular note is that geological units from all three major epochs are accessible from this site, including:
Geophysical surveys could search for near surface liquid water. The close proximity of active gullies within the Centauri Montes region is suggestive of possible subsurface aqueous activity which should be explored to provide a more complete understanding of the hydrologic system in this area. Such data may allow for the detection of a subsurface aquifer if it exists and we could map out its planar extent (Antol et al. 2005). The size of the aquifer could place constraints on the amount of water available to form the gullies. Such information is valuable for understanding the nature and extent of the hydrological cycle on Mars as well as selecting drill sites. This information would also be used to compare the amount of water potentially available in an aquifer (which is dependent upon the aquifer size) with combined modeling and geomorphology of predicted amounts of water that have run through the gullies to assess the consistency of such independent estimates of water volumes. Climate and meteorology studies focused at Centauri Montes would provide insight into the unique process of water ice transport to this region from the south pole. As the area shows a huge geological record spanning from Noachian to Hesperian, a long-term climatic evolution of the planet could be inferred through the integration of geological, sedimentological and geochemical data recovered from these old deposits. In addition, meteorology studies would likely be conducted at any site of human investigation on Mars and thus are not intrinsically site-specific. LocationCentauri Montes is located on the rim of Hellas Basin (Figures 21 and 22). The Centauri and Hellas Montes region is characterized by remnant massifs interpreted to be crustal uplifts and ejecta from the Hellas impact which occurred early in Mars’ history (Lehmann et al.). Subsequently, several geologic processes have worked to alter the landscape. Lobate debris aprons formed which are characterized by viscous creep and deformation and are attributed to the movement of rock glaciers (Squyres 1978, 1979; Squyres and Carr 1986; Crown and Stewart 1995). Volcanic processes formed several volcanic edifices in the region (Greeley and Crown 1990; Crown 1991). Outflow activity worked to move large volumes of water and debris in association with Dao, Niger, Harmakhis, and Reull Valles (Price 1992; Bleamaster and Crown 2004). Therefore the Centauri Montes region has a rich and complex geologic history. 
Figure 21. Mola scene of Helles Basin showing location of Centauri Montes region (inside white square). 
Figure 22. Viking context image of active gully crater (shown in Figure 1) at Centauri Montes (inside red square). A crater within this region located near 38.7°S, 263.3°W is the site of recent gully activity (Malin et al. 2006). This crater (hereforth referred to as the active gully crater) is shown in Figure 23. Sometime between August 1999 and September 2005, a light-toned material was transported downslope through a gully channel and deposited along the crater wall (Malin et al. 2006). The new deposit has extended branches, a digitate terminus, diverts around obstacles, and has low relief. These observations have been interpreted as suggestive of fluid (aqueous) flow (Malin et al. 2006). Due to the scientific interest in studying this site extensively with humans, the human landing site would be adjacent to this active gully crater. |