The Governors of the University of Calgary (UofC)
Model, experiment, and terrestrial analog-informed interpretations of the record of planetary habitability at Mount Sharp — Sedimentary rocks exposed at the Martian surface offer an information-rich record of the planet’s past environmental conditions and biological habitability. Curiosity’s expected exploration of unique sedimentological units in Mount Sharp offer exciting opportunities for exploring the interplay between climate, water, and biological habitability at the critical time in Mars’ past when water-rich conditions existed and hence could have originated life. This proposal seeks to leverage our team’s expertise in quantifying and modeling these geochemical and hydrological processes and Curiosity’s prowess as a roving field geologist and mobile laboratory to develop a framework for interpreting past Martian climate and habitability.