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Possible Mars landing site in 2018

Posted by
Deborah Byrd
and
October 2, 2014
Mawrth Vallis, one of four candidate landing sites under consideration for the ExoMars 2018 mission. Landing ellipses under evaluation are indicated. They cover an area of 170 x 19 km. Image via ESA/DLR/FU Berlin & NASA MGS MOLA Science Team
Mawrth Vallis, one of four candidate landing sites under consideration for the ExoMars 2018 mission. The landing ellipses under evaluation for this site selection are indicated, and cover an area of 170 x 19 kilometers (105 X 12 miles). The orientation of the landing ellipse depends on when the launch takes place within a given launch window. All candidates landing sites for this mission have to be compliant with launch opportunities in both 2018 and 2020, as indicated. Image via ESA/DLR/FU Berlin & NASA MGS MOLA Science Team

Say hello to Mawrth Vallis on Mars. Mawrth means Mars in Welsh, and Vallis just means valley. This region on Mars is an ancient channel, thought by most Mars scientists to have been carved by outburst floods in Mars’ past. It’s one of four candidate landing sites under consideration for the ExoMars 2018 mission.

Mawrth Vallis is one of the oldest outflow channels on Mars, at least 3.8 billion years old. It hosts large exposures of finely layered clay-rich rocks, a strong indication that water did once play a role here.

The image above combines images from ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft with topography data from NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor.

Read more about candidates landing sites for ExoMars 2018 mission

Space scientists have selected four possible landing sites for the ExoMars 2018 mission. Read more.
Space scientists have selected four possible landing sites for the ExoMars 2018 mission. Read more.

Bottom line: Mawrth Vallis is an ancient outflow channel on Mars and one of four candidate landing sites under consideration for the ExoMars 2018 mission.

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Posted 
October 2, 2014
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Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

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