A5021351280- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Geological formations and processes
- Marine and environmental studies
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Geological Formations and Processes Exploration
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Robotics and Automated Systems
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
- Geological Modeling and Analysis
- Rocket and propulsion systems research
- 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Geological Studies and Exploration
- Spaceflight effects on biology
Centro de Astrobiología
2021-2024
International Research School of Planetary Sciences
2014-2022
Utrecht University
2019-2022
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2016-2019
Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences
2016-2019
Nantes Université
2019
Agenzia Spaziale Italiana
2017
The scale of groundwater upwelling on Mars, as well its relation to sedimentary systems, remains an ongoing debate. Several deep craters (basins) in the northern equatorial regions show compelling signs that large amounts water once existed Mars at a planet-wide scale. presence water-formed features, including fluvial Gilbert and sapping deltas fed by valleys, constitute strong evidence resulting long term standing bodies inside basins. Terrestrial field shows valleys can occur basalt...
Jezero crater has been selected as the landing site for Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, because it contains a paleolake with two fan-deltas, inlet and outlet valleys. Using data from High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), we conducted quantitative geomorphological study of valleys paleolake. Results show that strongest erosion is related to network deep cut into highland bedrock well upstream likely formed before formation regional olivine-rich unit. In...
Aeolis Dorsa is a topographic depression, ∼800 km east of Gale Crater, located along the Mars' dichotomy boundary. This area hosts set fluvial sedimentary rocks displaying an exceptional record depositional environments and channels patterns that suggest presence large amount surface and/or subsurface water. We interpreted plain as ancient waterlogged environment, basin passing into distal environments. Regional mapping revealed large-scale system points to long-term extensive hydrological...
Abstract Orbital observation has revealed a rich record of fluvial landforms on Mars, with much this dating 3.6–3.0 Ga. Despite widespread geomorphic evidence, few analyses Mars’ alluvial sedimentary-stratigraphic exist, detailed studies alluvium largely limited to smaller sand-bodies amenable study in-situ by rovers. These typically metre-scale outcrop dimensions have prevented interpretation larger scale channel-morphology and long-term basin evolution, vital for understanding the past...
The ESA ExoMars mission will land at Oxia Planum to search for signs of life on Mars [1, 2]. In this study, we compare automated and manual mapping aeolian features in CTX (6 m/pixel), CaSSIS (5 HiRISE (25 cm/pixel) images the landing site with potential sand fluxes from NASA Ames GCM. Bright-toned wind streaks (n = 85) were manually mapped formed by winds originating NNW–NNE, return flows Hadley cell circulation. A few dark-toned 2), E–ESE, also identified. Bright...
Abstract Understanding the origin (volcanic or sedimentary) and timing of intercrater plains is crucial for deciphering geological evolution Mars. We have produced a detailed map north Hellas basin, based on images from Mars Express High‐Resolution Stereo Camera, Reconnaissance Imaging Science Experiment, Context. Erosional windows fresh impact craters provide way studying lithology plain units. They are composed predominantly light‐toned sedimentary rocks with subhorizontal bedding over...
Wind-formed features are abundant in Oxia Planum (Mars), the landing site of 2022 ExoMars mission, which shows geological evidence for a past wet environment. Studies aeolian bedforms at were focused on assessing risk rover trafficability, however their potential recording climatic fluctuations has not been explored. Here we show that experienced multiple changes Amazonian, recorded by an intriguing set ridges interpret as Periodic Bedrock Ridges (PBRs). Clues PBR origin result from ridge...
Moa Valles is a well-preserved, likely Amazonian (younger than 2 Ga old), paleodrainage system that nearly 300 km long and carved into ancient highland terrains west of Idaeus Fossae. The fluvial apparently originated from fluidized ejecta blankets, it consists series dam breach paleolakes with associated fan-shaped sedimentary deposits. are interconnected drain eastward Liberta crater, forming complex multilobate deltaic deposit exhibiting well-developed channelized distributary pattern...
The paleo-lake floor at the edge of Jezero delta has been selected as NASA 2020 rover landing site. In this article, we demonstrate sequences lake filling and formation constrain minimum life span from sedimentological hydrological analyses. Two main phases evolution can be recognized by utilizing imagery provided High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter) Stereo Camera (ESA Express): (1) basin infilling before breaching rim (2) itself. Our results suggest...
Abstract Understanding the origin of Hesperian‐aged sulfate‐bearing Equatorial Layered Deposits (ELDs) is crucial to infer Mars' climatic conditions during their formation and assess habitability potential. We investigated well‐exposed ELDs in Kotido crater (Arabia Terra) produced a detailed geological map infill, distinguishing different units within based upon morphological sedimentological characteristics. The consist interbedded light‐toned, darker‐toned deposits mounds, associated with...
Abstract Understanding the initial and flow conditions of contemporary flows in Martian gullies, generally believed to be triggered fluidized by CO 2 sublimation, is crucial for deciphering climate needed trigger sustain them. We employ RAMMS (RApid Mass Movement Simulation) debris avalanche model back calculate recent three gullies Hale crater. infer minimum release depths 1.0–1.5 m volumes 100–200 3 . Entrainment leads final that are ∼2.5–5.5 times larger than initially released,...
Abstract An extensive distribution of water‐altered equatorial layered deposits (ELDs) characterizes the densely cratered terrain Arabia Terra (AT), Mars. The majority these reside within craters and are easily identified by laterally continuous layering. processes that led to their formation have been widely investigated, but remain unresolved. Furthermore, precise spatial as a whole, well relationship one another individually, has yet be fully appreciated. This work examines 1,013...
Abstract Equatorial Layered Deposits (ELDs) reveal aspects of past depositional environments useful for timing climatic and geological events on Mars. However, their formation has several contending hypotheses which reflect a diverse range possible environments. To better constrain mechanism, we analyzed the stratigraphic mineralogical characteristics mapped distribution ELDs within three close craters, Sera, Jiji, an unnamed crater in central Arabia Terra. Analyses craters' geology allowed...
The Noachis-Sabaea region in the southern highlands preserves some of oldest Martian crust. It records deformation by both endogenic and exogenic processes. This includes giant impacts their impact stresses, which could have resulted reactivation modification pre-impact tectonic structures, addition to impact-generated structures. There are also widespread extensional compressional were formed due We produced first detailed morphostructural map region, details characteristics spatial...
Abstract. The research project ‘Moon Mapping’ has been established in 2014 between the Italian and Chinese Governments to promote cooperation exchange undergraduate students from both countries. operational phase of started early 2015, will end 2017, for a total length three years. main aim is train new scholars be able work on different kinds remotely-sensed data collected over Moon surface by space missions Chang’E-1/2. coordination assigned Space Agency side Center Exploration, China...
ABSTRACT The sedimentary-stratigraphic record is regularly considered only in the context of regional climate, tectonic configuration, and sea-level. In this study we provide examples how biotically influenced autogenic processes may come to be overprinted on these extrinsic, allogenic controls. A sedimentological analysis given for Mississippian (Visean) siliciclastic strata which crop out counties Donegal Mayo NW Ireland. Eleven sedimentary facies deposition dominantly clastic humic...
Abstract A widely hypothesized but complex transition from widespread fluvial activity to predominantly aeolian processes is inferred on Mars based remote sensing data observations of ancient landforms. However, the lack analysis in situ martian deposits hinders our understanding flow regime nature and sustainability hunt for life. Studying analogs arid zones Earth fundamental quantitatively geomorphic climate drivers that might have dominated during early Mars. Here we investigate formation...
The research project ‘Moon Mapping’ has been established in 2014 between the Italian and Chinese Governments to promote cooperation exchange undergraduate students from both countries. operational phase of started early 2015, will end 2017, for a total length three years. main aim is train new scholars be able work on different kinds remotely-sensed data collected over Moon surface by space missions Chang’E-1/2. coordination assigned Space Agency side Center Exploration, China Ministry...
Bright-toned aeolian bedforms are abundant in Oxia Planum, the future landing site of ESA’s ExoMars rover mission [1-3]. Their NE-SW orientation differs from other landforms area, such as E-W oriented ridges carved bedrock (periodic – PBRs [4, 5]), suggesting major changes wind and climatic conditions [2, 3]. At formative winds have been interpreted blowing NW to SE based on difference between dark stoss slopes bright lee slope albedo, with darker surfaces coarse grained...