Compositional Characteristics and Trends Within the Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale Crater, Mars as Determined by APXS: Sedimentary, Diagenetic and Alteration History

Abstract: The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover has spent the last two years investigating a prominent resistant ridge, informally named the Vera Rubin Ridge (VRR), at the base of Mount Sharp (Aeolis Mons). The ridge has been a high priority science target for the MSL mission since landing in Gale crater more than 6 years ago because of the detection of a strong hematite spectral signature, and its distinct topography. Examining the chemistry of the ridge can aid in determining the relation…