Water and Chlorine in the Martian Subsurface Along the Traverse of NASA's Curiosity Rover: 1. DAN Measurement Profiles Along the Traverse.

Abstract

This paper presents estimates of the water and chlorine contents in the subsurface of Gale crater based on the measurements by the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) instrument onboard the NASA Curiosity rover. It is Part 1 of a two-paper series. Data derived both from DAN active and passive measurements are presented in discrete surface areas (pixels) assuming a homogeneous distribution of water within the DAN sensing depth (60cm) along the traverse of the rover. It is shown that the content of hydrogen, reported as Water Equivalent Hydrogen, varies between almost zero and a maximum of (6.1±0.7) wt.%. The content of absorption equivalent chlorine varies between almost zero and (2.6±0.2) wt.%. Such variations are thought to be related to the different geological processes and environmental conditions present in the strata along the traverse during the evolutionary history of Gale crater. The second paper (Part 2) studies particular properties of water and abundances of neutron absorbing elements at distinct geological regions, that the rover crossed on its way.