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Published July 19, 2013 | Version public
Journal Article Metadata-only

Abundance and Isotopic Composition of Gases in the Martian Atmosphere from the Curiosity Rover

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Abstract

Volume mixing and isotope ratios secured with repeated atmospheric measurements taken with the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite on the Curiosity rover are: carbon dioxide (CO₂), 0.960(±0.007); argon-40 (⁴⁰Ar), 0.0193(±0.0001); nitrogen (N₂), 0.0189(±0.0003); oxygen, 1.45(±0.09) × 10⁻³; carbon monoxide, < 1.0 × 10⁻³; and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, 1.9(±0.3) × 10³. The ⁴⁰Ar/N₂ ratio is 1.7 times greater and the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratio 1.6 times lower than values reported by the Viking Lander mass spectrometer in 1976, whereas other values are generally consistent with Viking and remote sensing observations. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratio is consistent with martian meteoritic values, which provides additional strong support for a martian origin of these rocks. The isotopic signature δ¹³C from CO₂ of ~45 per mil is independently measured with two instruments. This heavy isotope enrichment in carbon supports the hypothesis of substantial atmospheric loss.

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Eprint ID
119715
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CaltechAUTHORS:20230307-649704000.12

Dates

Created
2023-03-12
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Updated
2023-03-12
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Caltech groups
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS)