Software used: ArcMap 10.3.0, MatLab R2015b, Google Earth 7.1.5 Evaluation of Eberswalde Crater: Analysis of River Delta, Inflow Channels, and Potential Landing Site for Rover Mission Software used: ArcMap 10.3.0, MatLab R2015b, Google Earth 7.1.5 Jonathan Dolinschi

Eberswalde Crater Context Centered at: 24°S, 327°E 65 Eberswalde Crater Context Centered at: 24°S, 327°E 65.3 km in diameter Approximately 800 meters deep

Research Problem and Why it is Important Eberswalde delta volume An inverted relief delta formed by the flow of most likely water. What is the volume of the delta? Inflow channels into the crater Semi-meandering channels flowing into the crater. What is the estimated water discharge rate of the channels and subsequent sediment discharge rate? How long would it have taken to deposit the delta? Mars rover mission and possible landing sites in/near the crater By taking into account thermal inertia and slope, what are possible locations for a safe landing ellipse for a rover mission to study the delta and related structures? Why is this important? Time that river flowed: Tells us if life had time to develop in a wet environment and how wet Mars’ past was. Rover mission landing site: Rovers are expensive and not many are launched. A rover mission to Eberswalde must have a safe landing spot that is relatively flat and devoid of large boulders.

Data Sources and Methods Used Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Maps Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) onboard the Mars Global Surveyor orbiter Resolution: 463 meters/pixel Infrared Maps (Day IR, Night IR, and Thermal Inertia) Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) onboard the Mars Odyssey orbiter Resolution: 100 meters/pixel All data acquired from the Astropedia at astrogeology.usgs.gov Methods Used -Pre-delta surface extrapolated using non-delta crater floor sections of DEM and then ArcMap used to calculate volume of delta. -Channel cross section and slope found using DEMs and then discharge rate calculated with Manning’s formula using MatLab. Stream flow time estimated using delta volume and estimated sediment discharge rate. -Rover landing ellipse location estimated using thermal inertia maps and slope map combined into red and green bands and slope of path rover could take to the delta plotted using ArcMap

Thickness of Delta Deposition

River Channel Cross Section and Plots Manning coefficient: 0.025 | Specific gravity of sediment: 2.65 | Sediment Volume Load: 5% North Channel Slope: 0.042119 | South Channel Slope: 0.025685

Rover Mission Potential Landing Ellipse

Results Eberswalde Delta Delta consists of two main lobes ranging from 70 meters depth at lobe centers to 30 meters between. Total deposited volume is 3.128 km3 River Channels Time to deposit delta ranges from about a couple of days at almost bank full to approximately 40,000 years at 1 meter depth. However, the most likely scenario is a depth of 6 to 3 meters which would be 10 to 500 years of river flow. Rover Mission Landing Site While the inside of the crater is too rocky to land in, a landing ellipse fits outside the crater to the northeast of the delta. A 35 km drive to reach the river delta at slopes no higher than 10 is possible.

Future Work Possible Eberswalde Delta A more accurate model of the location of the crater floor can be accomplished to calculate the delta volume more accurately. River Channels Channel Manning coefficient was estimated, but thermal inertia can more accurately provide terrain roughness. Sediment load was also estimated based on Earth rivers but river flow models can provide more accurate load. Rover Mission Landing Site Radar reflectivity map for radar velocimeter/altimeter of the descent vehicle Albedo for more information on surface competency and density Spectrometer data to pinpoint areas of interest, i.e. clays and marine deposits