Columbus (crater)

Columbus is a crater in the Terra Sirenum of Mars. It is 119 km in diameter and was named after Christopher Columbus, Italian explorer (1451–1506).[1][2] The discovery of sulfates and clay minerals in sediments within Columbus crater are strong evidence that a lake once existed in the crater.[3][4] Research with an orbiting near-infrared spectrometer, which reveals the types of minerals present based on the wavelengths of light they absorb, found evidence of layers of both clay and sulfates in Columbus crater. This is exactly what would appear if a large lake had slowly evaporated.[5][6] Moreover, because some layers contained gypsum, a sulfate which forms in relatively fresh water, life could have formed in the crater.[7]

  • Map showing the relative positions of Columbus crater and other nearby craters in Memnonia quadrangle
    Map showing the relative positions of Columbus crater and other nearby craters in Memnonia quadrangle
Columbus
Columbus crater based on THEMIS day-time image
PlanetMars
Coordinates29.8°S 166.1°W / -29.8; -166.1
QuadrangleMemnonia
Diameter119 km
EponymChristopher Columbus, Italian explorer (1451-1506)

Layers

Columbus crater contains layers, also called strata. In Columbus crater, the CRISM instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter found kaolinite, hydrated sulfates including alunite and possibly jarosite.[8] Further study concluded that gypsum, polyhydrated and monohydrated Mg/Fe-sulfates were common and small deposits of montmorillonite, Fe/Mg-phyllosilicates, and crystalline ferric oxide or hydroxide were found. Thermal emission spectra suggest that some minerals were in the tens of percent range.[4][4]

  • Columbus crater layers, as seen by HiRISE. This false-color image is about 800 feet across. Some of the layers contain hydrated minerals.
    Columbus crater layers, as seen by HiRISE. This false-color image is about 800 feet across. Some of the layers contain hydrated minerals.
  • Close-up of Columbus crater, as seen by HiRISE
    Close-up of Columbus crater, as seen by HiRISE
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Columbus (Martian crater).

See also

References
  1. "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature | Columbus". usgs.gov. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  2. "Google Mars".
  3. "Sulfates and Clays in Columbus Crater, Mars". 24 July 2018.
  4. Wray, J. J.; Milliken, R. E.; Dundas, C. M.; Swayze, G. A.; Andrews-Hanna, J. C.; Baldridge, A. M.; Chojnacki, M.; Bishop, J. L.; Ehlmann, B. L.; Murchie, S. L.; Clark, R. N.; Seelos, F. P.; Tornabene, L. L.; Squyres, S. W. (2011). "Columbus crater and other possible groundwater-fed paleolakes of Terra Sirenum, Mars". Journal of Geophysical Research. 116 (E1). Bibcode:2011JGRE..116.1001W. doi:10.1029/2010JE003694. S2CID 130336717.
  5. Cabrol, N. and E. Grin (eds.). 2010. Lakes on Mars. Elsevier.NY.
  6. Wray, J. et al. 2009. Columbus Crater and other possible paleelakes in Terra Sirenum, Mars. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. 40: 1896.
  7. "National Geographic".
  8. Murchie, S. et al. 2009. A synthesis of Martian aqueous mineralogy after 1 Mars year of observations from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Journal of Geophysical Research: 114.
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