Report of the COSPAR mars special regions colloquium
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- 作者：G. Kminek ; J.D. Rummel ; C.S. Cockell ; R. Atlas ; N. Barlow ; D. Beaty ; W. Boynton ; M. Carr ; S. Clifford ; C.A. Conley ; A.F. Davila ; A. Debus ; P. Doran ; M. Hecht ; J. Heldmann ; J. Helbert ; V. Hipkin ; G. Ho
- 关键词：Special regions ; Mars ; Planetary protection ; Forward contamination ; Low temperature ; Water activity
- 刊名：Advances in Space Research
- 出版年：2010
- 出版时间：15 September 2010
- 年：2010
- 卷：46
- 期：6
- 页码：811-829
- 全文大小：1501 K
文摘
In this paper we present the findings of a COSPAR Mars Special Regions Colloquium held in Rome in 2007. We review and discuss the definition of Mars Special Regions, the physical parameters used to define Mars Special Regions, and physical features on Mars that can be interpreted as Mars Special Regions. We conclude that any region experiencing temperatures > −25 °C for a few hours a year and a water activity > 0.5 can potentially allow the replication of terrestrial microorganisms. Physical features on Mars that can be interpreted as meeting these conditions constitute a Mars Special Region. Based on current knowledge of the martian environment and the conservative nature of planetary protection, the following features constitute Mars Special regions: Gullies and bright streaks associated with them, pasted-on terrain, deep subsurface, dark streaks only on a case-by-case basis, others to be determined. The parameter definition and the associated list of physical features should be re-evaluated on a regular basis.