Abstracts for the Venus Geoscience Tutorial and Venus Geologic Mapping Workshop

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Abstracts for the Venus Geoscience Tutorial and Venus Geologic Mapping Workshop ABSTRACTS FOR THE VENUS GEOSCIENCE TUTORIAL AND VENUS GEOLOGIC MAPPING WORKSHOP Flagstaff, Arizona June 12-15, 1989 Sponsored by Lunar and Planetary Institute and National Aeronautics and Space Administration No0-[7423 (NASA-CP-1_5_32) A_ST_,ACTb FOR THE VFNUS --TH_U-- GEOSCIENC£ TUTORIAL AND VENUS 6=OLOGI£ N90-t2e_3 m MAPPING WnRKSHOP Abstr_cts _nl'i (Lunqr _nd Unclas Planetary lns_'.) 62 p C£CL 03R o31v1 0218571 ABSTRACTS FOR THE VENUS GEOSCIENCE TUTORIAL AND VENUS GEOLOGIC MAPPING WORKSHOP Flagstaff, Arizona June 12-15, 1989 Sponsored by Lunar and Planetary Institute National Aeronautics and Space Administration Hosted by the U. S. Geological Survey LPI Contribution No. 708 Compiled in 1989 by the Lunar and Planetary Institute 3303 NASA Road 1 Houston, TX 77058-4399 Material in this volume may be copied without restraint for library, abstract service, educational, or personal research purposes; however, republication of any paper or portion thereof requires the written permission of the authors as well as appropriate acknowledgment of this publication. The Lunar and Planetary Institute is operated by the Universities Space Research Association under Contract No. NASW-4066 with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Cover: Radar image of Maxwell Montes, Venus. (Courtesy Arecibo Observatory) PREFACE This volume contains abstracts of invited tutorial and solicited posters that have been accepted for presentation at the Venus Geoscience Tutorial and Venus Geologic Mapping Workshop. Conveners: Gerald Schaber and Richard Kozak U. S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff Program Committee: Gerald Schaber, U. S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff James Head, Brown University Roger Phillips, Southern Methodist University Stephen Saunders, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Logistics and administrative support were provided by the Projects Office staff at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. iii CONTENTS P - Poster T - Tutorial T Geology of Southern Guinevere Planitia, Venus, Based on Analyses of Goldstone Radar Data R. E. Arvidson, J. J. Plaut, R. F. Jurgens, R. S. Saunders, and M. A. Slade ............................................................................................................ 1 P Characteristics, Distribution and GeologicTerrain Associations of Small Dome-like Hills on Venus J. C. Aubele and E. N. Slyuta ...................................................................................... 2 P Tessera Terrain: Characteristics and Models of Origin D. L. Bindschadler and J. W. Head ............................................................................ 4 T Divergent Plate Boundaries and Crustal Spreading on Venus: Evidence from Aphrodite Terra L. S. Crumpler and J. W. Head ................................................................................... 6 T Venus Volcanism: Rate Estimates from Laboratory Studies of Sulfur Gas-Solid Reactions K. Ehlers, B. Fegley, Jr., and R. G. Prinn .................................................................. 8 P Potential for Observing and Discriminating Impact Craters and Comparable Volcanic Landforms on Magellan Radar Images J. P. Ford ...................................................................................................................... 10 P Contrasting Landform Perception with Varied Radar Illumination Geometries and at Simulated Resolutions of Venera and Magellan J. P. Ford and R. E. Arvidson ................................................................................... 11 rI" Venus Surface Properties Deduced from Radar and Radiometry P. G. Ford .................................................................................................................... 12 P A Morphologic Study of Venus Ridge Belts S. L. Frank and J. W. Head ....................................................................................... 13 P Evidence for Volcanism bl NW Ishtar Terra, Venus L. Gaddis and R. Greeley .......................................................................................... 15 P Analysis of Radar Images of the Active Volcanic Zone at Krafla, Iceland: The Effects of Look Azimuth Biasing J. B. Garvin and R. S. Williams, Jr ........................................................................... 17 V PRECEDING PAGE BLANK NOT FILMED P Radar Scattering Mechanisms Within the Meteor Crater Ejecta Blanket: Geologic Implications and Relevance to Venus J. B. Garvin, B. A. Campbell, S. H. Zisk, G. G. Schaber, and C. Evans ....................................................................................................................... 19 T Aeolian Processes on Venus R. Greeley .................................................................................................................... 21 T Thoughts on the Venusian Surface and Early Earth R. B. Hargraves ........................................................................................................... 23 T Architecture of Orogenic Belts and Convergent Zones in Western lshtar Terra, Venus J. W. Head, R. Vorder Bruegge, and L. Crumpler ................................................ 24 Deducing the Age of the Dense Venus Atmosphere R. Kahn ........................................................................................................................ 26 Clotho Tessera, Venus: A Fragment of Fottuna Tessera? R. C. Kozak and G. G. Schaber ................................................................................ 27 T Tectonism on Venus: A Review R. Kozak and G. G. Schaber ..................................................................................... 29 T Surface Composition and Petrology J. S. Lewis .................................................................................................................... 30 T Extensional Tectonism in the Southwestern United States I. Lucchitta .................................................................................................................. .31 P Crater Identification and Resolution of Lunar Radar Images H. J. Moore and T. W. Thompson .......................................................................... .32 T Venus: Mantle Convection, Hotspots, and Tectonics R. J. Phillips ................................................................................................................ .33 P Radar Scattering from Desert Terrains, Pisgah/Lavic Region, California: Implications for Magellan J. J. Plaut, R. E. Arvidson, and S. Wall .................................................................... 35 P Lakshmi Planum: A Distinctive Highland Volcanic Province K. M. Roberts and J. W. Head ................................................................................ .37 T Volcanism on Venus: Large Shields and Major Accumulations of Small "Domes" G. G. Schaber and R. C. Kozak ................................................................................ 39 T Impact Cratering and the Surface Age of Venus: The Pre-Magellan Controversy G. G. Schaber, E. M. Shoemaker, C. S. Shoemaker, and R. C. Kozak ................................................................................................................. 41 vi P Geology of the Venus EquatorialRegion from Pioneer Venus Radar Imaging D. A. Senske and J. W. Head .................................................................................... 43 T Venus Gravity: Measurements, Reductions and Results W. L. Sjogren ............................................................................................................... 45 T Venus and the Archean Earth: Thermal Considerations N. H. Sleep ................................................................................................................... 46 P Coronae on Venus: Observations and Models of Origin E. R. Stofan ................................................................................................................. 47 T Crustal Deformation: Earth vs. Venus D. L. Turcotte .............................................................................................................. 49 P Eastern lshtar Terra: Tectonic Evolution Derived from Recognized Features R. W. Vorder Bruegge and J. W. Head ................................................................... 50 P Stress Distribution and Topography of Tellus Regio, Venus D. R. Williams and R. Greeley ................................................................................. 52 Three Ages of Venus C. A. Wood and C. R. Coombs ................................................................................. 54 vii N90-1242"5 t, CHARACTERISTICS,DISTRIBUTIONANDGEOLOGIC/TERRA ASSOCIATIONS OF SMALL DOME-LIKE HILLS ON VENUS J.C. Aube/e, Dept. of Geol. Sciences, Brown University, Providence, R.I. 02912 E.N. Slyuta, Vernadsky Institute, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, U.S.S.R. Introduction. Approximately 22,000 small dome-like hills have been recognized on the northern 20% of the surface of Venus imaged by Venera 15/16. These features have been described [1] as generally circular in planimetric outline, with a range in basal diameter from the effective resolution of the Venera Images (1-2km) up to 20 kin. General Characteristics, The small hills have been called domes [1,2.] following the lunar nomenclature, be- cause of their broad apparent form. The nomenclature used here, "small dome-like hills", Is preferred because of the strict volcanological definition of a dome and terrestrial lithologic connotations. The actual number of these features, and their true range of diameter and modal diameter Is unknown; since there is
Recommended publications
  • Copyrighted Material
    Index Abulfeda crater chain (Moon), 97 Aphrodite Terra (Venus), 142, 143, 144, 145, 146 Acheron Fossae (Mars), 165 Apohele asteroids, 353–354 Achilles asteroids, 351 Apollinaris Patera (Mars), 168 achondrite meteorites, 360 Apollo asteroids, 346, 353, 354, 361, 371 Acidalia Planitia (Mars), 164 Apollo program, 86, 96, 97, 101, 102, 108–109, 110, 361 Adams, John Couch, 298 Apollo 8, 96 Adonis, 371 Apollo 11, 94, 110 Adrastea, 238, 241 Apollo 12, 96, 110 Aegaeon, 263 Apollo 14, 93, 110 Africa, 63, 73, 143 Apollo 15, 100, 103, 104, 110 Akatsuki spacecraft (see Venus Climate Orbiter) Apollo 16, 59, 96, 102, 103, 110 Akna Montes (Venus), 142 Apollo 17, 95, 99, 100, 102, 103, 110 Alabama, 62 Apollodorus crater (Mercury), 127 Alba Patera (Mars), 167 Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP), 110 Aldrin, Edwin (Buzz), 94 Apophis, 354, 355 Alexandria, 69 Appalachian mountains (Earth), 74, 270 Alfvén, Hannes, 35 Aqua, 56 Alfvén waves, 35–36, 43, 49 Arabia Terra (Mars), 177, 191, 200 Algeria, 358 arachnoids (see Venus) ALH 84001, 201, 204–205 Archimedes crater (Moon), 93, 106 Allan Hills, 109, 201 Arctic, 62, 67, 84, 186, 229 Allende meteorite, 359, 360 Arden Corona (Miranda), 291 Allen Telescope Array, 409 Arecibo Observatory, 114, 144, 341, 379, 380, 408, 409 Alpha Regio (Venus), 144, 148, 149 Ares Vallis (Mars), 179, 180, 199 Alphonsus crater (Moon), 99, 102 Argentina, 408 Alps (Moon), 93 Argyre Basin (Mars), 161, 162, 163, 166, 186 Amalthea, 236–237, 238, 239, 241 Ariadaeus Rille (Moon), 100, 102 Amazonis Planitia (Mars), 161 COPYRIGHTED
    [Show full text]
  • Round 3 Michael Etzkorn • Brad Fischer • Clare Keenan • Mike Laudermith • Lauren Onel Noah Prince • Jacob Simmons • Kristin Strey • Tyler Vaughan
    2017 SCOP MS 8 Round 3 Michael Etzkorn • Brad Fischer • Clare Keenan • Mike Laudermith • Lauren Onel Noah Prince • Jacob Simmons • Kristin Strey • Tyler Vaughan Tossups (1) This astronomical body, which was called Hesperus when it appeared as the Evening Star, has surface features called Maxwell Montes, Lakshmi Planum, and Ishtar Terra that are obscured by a permanent cover of (*) sulfuric acid clouds. A 96% carbon dioxide atmosphere led to a runaway greenhouse effect on, for ten points, what second planet in the Solar System? ANSWER: Venus (2) A holder of this title controversially pushed his people away from polytheism in favor of a solar god worshiped at Amarna. Lord Carnavon funded Howard Carter’s 1922 expedition to discover the burial grounds of one of these people at (*) Luxor, and found a sarcophagus containing a solid gold funerary mask and mummified remains. For ten points, name this title given to Akenhaten, King Tut, and other ancient Egyptian rulers. ANSWER: Egyptian pharaohs (3) A composer from this country wrote about the unlucky servant Ninetta in The Thieving Magpie, and included a “cavalry charge” galop in his (*) William Tell overture. For ten points, name this home country of Gioachino Rossini as well as Giacomo Puccini, who set his opera Tosca in Rome. ANSWER: Italy (accept Italia; accept Italian Republic or Repubblica italiana) (4) The Rydberg formula inspired one model of these objects, and the first sub-parts of these objects were detected by a deflection of cathode rays observed by JJ Thomson. A (*) gold foil experiment determined that these things possess a dense central mass, disproving their “plum pudding” model.
    [Show full text]
  • Mošćenički Pinel 2016 – a Review of the Artworks
    Mošćenički Pinel 2016 – a review of the artworks The topic of this year's Mošćenički Pinel arts workshop, Mošćenice reality and fantasy, is closely related to Slavic mythology. Continuing the research and reflections on the influence of this mythology in the Liburnia area in the projects of the Katedra Čakavskog Sabora Association of Mošćenička Draga, the participants of this art colony have become explorers of real and imaginary landscapes which they have tried to convey in their artworks using different artistic visions and expressions. The mythological stories depict the world as a holy tree, usually an oak, whose branches and bark represent the living world of the heavens and mortals, the sky and the earth, while its roots symbolise the underworld and the world of the dead. The ruler of the world of the living is the god Perun, who is constantly challenged by his opponent Veles, the water god of the underworld. Apart from stealing cattle from Perun, Veles also kidnaps his son Jarilo and his wife. In return, Perun hurls lightning at Veles, who turns into various animals and hides behind trees, houses or people. In the end, in Veles's ritual death, rain falls from his body, after which the sun begins to shine again, establishing the balance between the earth and the underworld. In the past, people used these myths to explain daily weather conditions. Another myth served as an explanation for the change of the seasons: spring started when Perun's son Jarilo escaped from Veles, and his entering the holy community with his sister Morana marked the summer period.
    [Show full text]
  • Investigating Mineral Stability Under Venus Conditions: a Focus on the Venus Radar Anomalies Erika Kohler University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
    University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 5-2016 Investigating Mineral Stability under Venus Conditions: A Focus on the Venus Radar Anomalies Erika Kohler University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Geochemistry Commons, Mineral Physics Commons, and the The unS and the Solar System Commons Recommended Citation Kohler, Erika, "Investigating Mineral Stability under Venus Conditions: A Focus on the Venus Radar Anomalies" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 1473. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1473 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Investigating Mineral Stability under Venus Conditions: A Focus on the Venus Radar Anomalies A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Space and Planetary Sciences by Erika Kohler University of Oklahoma Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, 2010 May 2016 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. ____________________________ Dr. Claud H. Sandberg Lacy Dissertation Director Committee Co-Chair ____________________________ ___________________________ Dr. Vincent Chevrier Dr. Larry Roe Committee Co-chair Committee Member ____________________________ ___________________________ Dr. John Dixon Dr. Richard Ulrich Committee Member Committee Member Abstract Radar studies of the surface of Venus have identified regions with high radar reflectivity concentrated in the Venusian highlands: between 2.5 and 4.75 km above a planetary radius of 6051 km, though it varies with latitude.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Histories of Mars and Venus, and the Habitability of Planets
    CLIMATE HISTORIES OF MARS AND VENUS, AND THE HABITABILITY OF PLANETS In the temporal sequence that Part III of the book has ¡NTRODUCT¡ON 15.1 been following, we stand near the end of the Archean eon. Earth at the close of the Archean,2.5 billion years ago, By this point in time, the evolution of Venus and its atmo- was a world in which life had arisen and plate tectonics sphere almost certainly had diverged from that of Earth, dominated, the evolution of the crust and the recycling of and Mars was on its way to being a cold, dry world, if volatiles. Yet oxygen (Oz) still was not prevalent in the it had not already become one. This is the appropriate atmosphere, which was richer in COz than at present. In moment in geologic time, then, to consider how Earth's this last respect, Earth's atmosphere was somewhat like neighboring planets diverged so greatly in climate, and to that of its neighbors, Mars and Venus, which today retain ponder the implications for habitable planets throughout this more primitive kind of atmosphere. the cosmos. In the following chapter, we consider why Speculations on the nature of Mars and Venus were, Earth became dominated by plate tectonics, but Venus prior to the space program, heavily influenced by Earth- and Mars did not. Understanding this is part of the key centered biases and the poor quality of telescopic observa- to understanding Earth's clement climate as discussed in tions (figure 15.1). Thirty years of U.S. and Soviet robotic chapter 1.4.
    [Show full text]
  • Cleopatra Crater on Venus: Happy Solution of the Volcanic Vs
    CLEOPATRA CRATER ON VENUS: HAPPY SOLUTION OF THE VOLCANIC VS. IMPACT CRATER CONTROVERSY; A.T. Basilevsky, A.T. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical chemistry, Moscow, USSR, and G.G. Schaber, U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff AZ 86001 ~ntroduction. Cleopatra is a 100-km-diameter crater on the eastern slope of Maxwell Montes in western Ishtar Terra. For over 12 years, Cleopatra has been the subject of scientific controversy. Discovered during the Pioneer Venus altimetric survey, this feature was initially interpreted as a caldera near the top of a giant volcanic construct, Maxwell Montes [I]. Venera 15/16 data and recent Arecibo radar images show, however, that the Maxwell Montes appear to be more of a tectonic construct, with little or no resemblance to other giant shields known in the Solar System; thus, a nonvolcanic origin of Cleopatra was proposed [2-61. The similarity of the double-ring structure of Cleopatra to those of other multi-ring impact craters of similar size on Venus and the Moon, Mercury, and Mars was more recently given by Basilevsky and Ivanov [7] as the primarily reason to consider this feature an impact crater. At the same time, some characteristics of Cleopatra seemed to contradict an impact origin. For example, Schaber et al. [8], suggestingthat a definitive verification of a volcanic or impact origin would probably require Magellan data, proposed that the evidence from Venera 15/16 and earlier data for a probable volcanic origin for Cleopatra is substantial. They cited, among other points: (1) the absence of a raised rim and highly backscattering ejecta deposits; (2) the crater's association with plains-forming deposits immediately downslope to the east, interpreted as probable lava flows emanating from a distinct breach in the crater's rim; (3) the excessive depth (2.5 km) and depth-to-diameter ratio (0.028) of the crater, (4) the offset of the inner and outer craters; and (5) the crater's position in what was interpreted as a regional tectonic framework.
    [Show full text]
  • Styles of Deformation in Ishtar Terra and Their Implications
    JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 97, NO. El0, PAGES 16,085-16,120, OCTOBER 25, 1992 Stylesof Deformationin IshtarTerra and Their Implications Wn.T.TAMM. KAU•A,• DOAN•L. BINDSCHAD•-R,l ROBERT E. GPaM•,2'3 VICKIL. HANSEN,2KARl M. ROBERTS,4AND SUZANNE E. SMREr,AR s IshtarTerra, the highest region on Venus, appears to havecharacteristics of both plume uplifts and convergent belts.Magellan imagery over longitudes 330ø-30øE indicates a great variety of tectonicand volcanic activity, with largevariations within distances of onlya few 100km. Themost prominent terrain types are the volcanic plains of Lakshmiand the mountain belts of Maxwell,Freyja, and Danu. Thebelts appear to havemarked variations in age. Thereare also extensive regions of tesserain boththe upland and outboard plateaus, some rather featureless smoothscarps, flanking basins of complexextensional tectonics, and regions of gravitationalor impactmodifica- tion.Parts of Ishtarare the locations of contemporaryvigorous tectonics and past extensive volcanism. Ishtar appearsto be the consequence of a history of several100 m.y., in whichthere have been marked changes in kinematic patternsand in whichactivity at any stage has been strongly influenced by the past. Ishtar demonstrates three general propertiesof Venus:(1) erosionaldegradation is absent,leading to preservationof patternsresulting from past activity;(2) manysurface features are the responses ofa competentlayer less than 10 km thick to flowsof 100km orbroaderscale; and (3) thesebroader scale flows are controlled mainly by heterogeneities inthe mantle. Ishtar Terra doesnot appear to bethe result of a compressionconveyed by anEarthlike lithosphere. But there is stilldoubt as to whetherIshtar is predominantlythe consequence of a mantleupflow or downflow.Upflow is favoredby the extensivevolcanic plain of Lakshmiand the high geoid: topography ratio; downflow is favoredby the intense deformationof themountain belts and the absence of majorrifts.
    [Show full text]
  • The Magellan Spacecraft at Venus by Andrew Fraknoi, Astronomical Society of the Pacific
    www.astrosociety.org/uitc No. 18 - Fall 1991 © 1991, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112. The Magellan Spacecraft at Venus by Andrew Fraknoi, Astronomical Society of the Pacific "Having finally penetrated below the clouds of Venus, we find its surface to be naked [not hidden], revealing the history of hundreds of millions of years of geological activity. Venus is a geologist's dream planet.'' —Astronomer David Morrison This fall, the brightest star-like object you can see in the eastern skies before dawn isn't a star at all — it's Venus, the second closest planet to the Sun. Because Venus is so similar in diameter and mass to our world, and also has a gaseous atmosphere, it has been called the Earth's "sister planet''. Many years ago, scientists expected its surface, which is perpetually hidden beneath a thick cloud layer, to look like Earth's as well. Earlier this century, some people even imagined that Venus was a hot, humid, swampy world populated by prehistoric creatures! But we now know Venus is very, very different. New radar images of Venus, just returned from NASA's Magellan spacecraft orbiting the planet, have provided astronomers the clearest view ever of its surface, revealing unique geological features, meteor impact craters, and evidence of volcanic eruptions different from any others found in the solar system. This issue of The Universe in the Classroom is devoted to what Magellan is teaching us today about our nearest neighbor, Venus. Where is Venus, and what is it like? Spacecraft exploration of Venus's surface Magellan — a "recycled'' spacecraft How does Magellan take pictures through the clouds? What has Magellan revealed about Venus? How does Venus' surface compare with Earth's? What is the next step in Magellan's mission? If Venus is such an uninviting place, why are we interested in it? Reading List Why is it so hot on Venus? Where is Venus, and what is it like? Venus orbits the Sun in a nearly circular path between Mercury and the Earth, about 3/4 as far from our star as the Earth is.
    [Show full text]
  • Determining Venusian Lithospheric Thickness Using Frequency-Length Statistics of Fractures
    Determining Venusian Lithospheric Thickness using Frequency-Length Statistics of Fractures Alyssa M. Beach California State University, Fullerton, Department of Geological Sciences May 2005 ABTRACT Frequency-length statistics were applied to the north-west trending set of irregularly spaced curvilinear radar-bright fractures on Venus’ Guinevere Planitia, located at 30º N latitude between 330º E and 333º E longitudes, to determine the thickness of the elastic lithosphere in this region. These fractures are interpreted as shear fractures in the lithosphere which have propagated up through the surface basalt flow. According to Scholz & Shaw (2002) cracks that penetrate through the entire thickness of a brittle layer have a surface length of twice their height. A log-log plot of the length distribution of this set of shear cracks has a sharp bend at a length of about 80 km. This reflects the transition from 2-dimensional growth of a penny-shaped crack in the lithosphere to the 1-dimensional elongation of a crack which has penetrated the elastic lithosphere. This interpretation implies that the lithosphere is roughly 40 km thick, in agreement with other recent estimates based on flexure and analyses of gravity and topography. This interpretation also implies that the 500 Ma resurfacing event suggested by crater statistics was accompanied by the emplacement of extensive flood basalts in the plains regions, and that the global resurfacing event may have been accomplished by global destruction of an older preexisting lithosphere. INTRODUCTION In this study, frequency-length statistics were applied to the Guinevere Planitia to determine the elastic lithospheric thickness of this region.
    [Show full text]
  • Extraterrestrial Geology Issue
    Lite EXTRAT E RR E STRIAL GE OLO G Y ISSU E SPRING 2010 ISSUE 27 The Solar System. This illustration shows the eight planets and three of the five named dwarf planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun, although the distances between them are not to scale. The sizes of the bodies are shown relative to each other, and the colors are approximately natural. Image modified from NASA/JPL. IN TH I S ISSUE ... Extraterrestrial Geology Classroom Activity: Impact Craters • Celestial Crossword Puzzle Is There Life Beyond Earth? Meteorites in Antarctica Why Can’t I See the Milky Way? Most Wanted Mineral: Jarosite • Through the Hand Lens New Mexico’s Enchanting Geology • Short Items of Interest NEW MEXICO BUREAU OF GEOLOGY & MINERAL RESOURCES A DIVISION OF NEW MEXICO TECH EXTRAT E RR E STRIAL GE OLO G Y Douglas Bland The surface of the planet we live on was created by geologic Many factors affect the appearance, characteristics, and processes, resulting in mountains, valleys, plains, volcanoes, geology of a body in space. Size, composition, temperature, an ocean basins, and every other landform around us. Geology atmosphere (or lack of it), and proximity to other bodies are affects the climate, concentrates energy and mineral resources just a few. Through images and data gathered by telescopes, in Earth’s crust, and impacts the beautiful landscapes outside satellites orbiting Earth, and spacecraft sent into deep space, the window. The surface of Earth is constantly changing due it has become obvious that the other planets and their moons to the relentless effects of plate tectonics that move continents look very different from Earth, and there is a tremendous and create and destroy oceans.
    [Show full text]
  • Size, Scale and the Imaginary in the Work of Land Artists Michael Heizer, Walter De Maria and Dennis Oppenheim
    Larger than life: size, scale and the imaginary in the work of Land Artists Michael Heizer, Walter De Maria and Dennis Oppenheim © Michael Albert Hedger A thesis in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Art History and Art Education UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES | Art & Design August 2014 PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Hedger First name: Michael Other name/s: Albert Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: Ph.D. School: Art History and Education Faculty: Art & Design Title: Larger than life: size, scale and the imaginary in the work of Land Artists Michael Heizer, Walter De Maria and Dennis Oppenheim Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) Conventionally understood to be gigantic interventions in remote sites such as the deserts of Utah and Nevada, and packed with characteristics of "romance", "adventure" and "masculinity", Land Art (as this thesis shows) is a far more nuanced phenomenon. Through an examination of the work of three seminal artists: Michael Heizer (b. 1944), Dennis Oppenheim (1938-2011) and Walter De Maria (1935-2013), the thesis argues for an expanded reading of Land Art; one that recognizes the significance of size and scale but which takes a new view of these essential elements. This is achieved first by the introduction of the "imaginary" into the discourse on Land Art through two major literary texts, Swift's Gulliver's Travels (1726) and Shelley's sonnet Ozymandias (1818)- works that, in addition to size and scale, negotiate presence and absence, the whimsical and fantastic, longevity and death, in ways that strongly resonate with Heizer, De Maria and especially Oppenheim.
    [Show full text]
  • The Magellan Spacecraft at Venus by Andrew Fraknoi, Astronomical Society of the Pacific
    www.astrosociety.org/uitc No. 18 - Fall 1991 © 1991, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112. The Magellan Spacecraft at Venus by Andrew Fraknoi, Astronomical Society of the Pacific "Having finally penetrated below the clouds of Venus, we find its surface to be naked [not hidden], revealing the history of hundreds of millions of years of geological activity. Venus is a geologist's dream planet.'' —Astronomer David Morrison This fall, the brightest star-like object you can see in the eastern skies before dawn isn't a star at all — it's Venus, the second closest planet to the Sun. Because Venus is so similar in diameter and mass to our world, and also has a gaseous atmosphere, it has been called the Earth's "sister planet''. Many years ago, scientists expected its surface, which is perpetually hidden beneath a thick cloud layer, to look like Earth's as well. Earlier this century, some people even imagined that Venus was a hot, humid, swampy world populated by prehistoric creatures! But we now know Venus is very, very different. New radar images of Venus, just returned from NASA's Magellan spacecraft orbiting the planet, have provided astronomers the clearest view ever of its surface, revealing unique geological features, meteor impact craters, and evidence of volcanic eruptions different from any others found in the solar system. This issue of The Universe in the Classroom is devoted to what Magellan is teaching us today about our nearest neighbor, Venus. Where is Venus, and what is it like? Spacecraft exploration of Venus's surface Magellan — a "recycled'' spacecraft How does Magellan take pictures through the clouds? What has Magellan revealed about Venus? How does Venus' surface compare with Earth's? What is the next step in Magellan's mission? If Venus is such an uninviting place, why are we interested in it? Reading List Why is it so hot on Venus? Where is Venus, and what is it like? Venus orbits the Sun in a nearly circular path between Mercury and the Earth, about 3/4 as far from our star as the Earth is.
    [Show full text]