Investigation of the Feasibility of in situ Radiometric Dating on Mars using the Beagle 2 Gas Analysis Package and X-ray Spectrometer
Abstract
There are significant scientific returns to establishing an in situ age for Martian geological materials perhaps most notably to perform a calibration of the Martian cratering rate Beagle 2 was to have attempted a radiometric dating of rocks accessible by the lander We have investigated the feasibility of 40K-40Ar radiometric dating of basalt rocks utilising versions of the Beagle 2 Gas Analysis Package GAP a miniature mass spectrometer and the X-ray Spectrometer XRS Several basalts were used in the study of 39Ar-40Ar radiometric ages in the range 171 - 1141 Ma The K content of each basalt was measured by the flight spare XRS and the 40Ar content using a next-generation model of the GAP We report on the results from these analyses Having investigated the technique using flight-like instrumentation we discuss operational aspects of conducting in-situ radiometric dating on Mars using robotic spacecraft with particular emphasis on Mars landers
- Publication:
-
36th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006cosp...36.1197T