Imagery from several Martian orbiters was analyzed in an attempt to discern movement of Martian sand dunes. Additional imagery from Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity was analyzed to search for evidence of dune movement or saltation at Meridiani Planum, Mars. Data from Opportunity shows that a saltation event occurred sometime in July 2007, at the rim of Victoria Crater. No dune movement was detected, suggesting that dune movement, if it occurs on Mars, is on the scale of centimeters or less per Martian year. Future studies should benefit from added high-resolution satellite imagery, and if current theories on dune movement are correct, dune movement should be discernable from orbit within a few years.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Kavulich, Michael Joseph

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042608-145924

Advisor

• DePaor, Declan G.
• Iannacchione, Germano S.

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Physics

Rights statement

• In Copyright