M. H. Jones^1,*, D. Bewsher², D. S. Brown²

¹Department of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK7 6AA, UK.
²Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, UK.

The gravitational interaction of dust in the zodiacal cloud with individual planets is expected to give rise to ringlike features: Such a circumsolar ring has been observed associated with Earth, but such resonance rings have not been confirmed to exist for other planets. Here, we report on sensitive photometric observations, based on imaging from the STEREO mission, that confirm the existence of a dust ring at the orbit of Venus. The maximum overdensity of dust in this ring, compared to the zodiacal cloud, is ~10%. The radial density profile of this ring differs from the model used to describe Earth’s ring in that it has two distinct steplike components, with one step being interior and the other exterior to the orbit of Venus.

Reference
Jones MH, Bewsher D and Brown DS (2013) Imaging of a Circumsolar Dust Ring Near the Orbit of Venus. Science 342:960-963.
[doi:10.1126/science.1243194]
Reprinted with permission from AAAS

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Samuel P. Kounaves^a, Brandi L. Carrier^a, Glen D. O’Neil^a, Shannon T. Stroble^b, Mark W. Claire^c,d

^aDepartment of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
^bFranklin Pierce University, Department of Chemistry, Rindge, NH 03461, USA.
^cUniversity of St. Andrews, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, St. Andrews, UK.
^dBlue Marble Space Institute of Science, P.O. Box 85561, Seattle, WA 98145, USA.

The results from the Viking mission in the mid 1970’s provided evidence that the martian surface contained oxidants responsible for destroying organic compounds. In 2008 the Phoenix Wet Chemistry Lab (WCL) found perchlorate (ClO₄^–) in three soil samples at concentrations from 0.5 to 0.7 wt%. The detection of chloromethane (CH₃Cl) and dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) by the Viking pyrolysis gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) may have been a result of ClO₄^– at that site oxidizing either terrestrial organic contaminates or, if present, indigenous organics. Recently, the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity directly measured the presence of CH₃Cl, CH₂Cl₂ and, along with measurements of HCl and oxygen, indirectly indicate the presence of ClO₄^–. However, except for Phoenix, no other direct measurement of the ClO₄^– anion in martian soil or rock has been made. We report here ion chromatographic (IC) and isotopic analyses of a unique sawdust portion of the martian meteorite EETA79001 that show the presence by mass of 0.6 ± 0.1 ppm ClO₄^– , 1.4 ± 0.1ppm ClO₃^–, and 16 ± 0.2 ppm NO₃^– at a quantity and location within the meteorite that is difficult to reconcile with terrestrial contamination. The sawdust sample consists of basaltic material with a minor salt-rich inclusion in a mass ratio of ∼300:1, thus the salts may be 300 times more concentrated within the inclusion than the whole sample. The molar ratios of NO₃^– : ClO₄^– and Cl- : ClO₄^–, are very different for EETA79001 at ∼ 40:1 and 15:1, respectively, than the Antarctic soils and ice near where the meteorite was recovered at ∼ 10,000:1 and 5000:1, respectively. In addition, the isotope ratios for EETA79001 with δ¹⁵N = -10.48 ± 0.32 ‰ and δ¹⁸O = +51.61 ± 0.74 ‰ are significantly different from that of the nearby Miller Range blue ice with δ¹⁵N = +102.80 ± 0.14 ‰ and δ¹⁸O = +43.11 ± 0.64 ‰. This difference is notable, because if the meteorite had been contaminated with nitrate from the blue ice, the δ¹⁵N values should be the same. More importantly, the δ¹⁵N is similar to the uncontaminated Tissint Mars meteorite with δ¹⁵N = -4.5 ‰. These findings suggest a martian origin of the ClO₄^–, ClO₃^– and NO₃^– in EETA79001, and in conjunction with previous discoveries, support the hypothesis that they are present and ubiquitous on Mars. The presence of ClO₃^– in EETA79001 suggests the accompanying presence of other highly oxidizing oxychlorines such as ClO₂^– or ClO^–, produced both by UV oxidation of Cl^– and γ- and x-ray radiolysis of ClO₄^–. Since such intermediary species may contribute to oxidization of organic compounds, only highly refractory and/or well-protected organics are likely to survive. The global presence of ClO₄^–, ClO₃^–, and NO₃^–, has broad implications for the planet-wide water cycle, formation of brines, human habitability, organics, and life.

Reference
Kounaves SP, Carrier BL, O’Neil GD, Stroble ST and Claire MW (in press) Evidence of martian perchlorate, chlorate, and nitrate in Mars meteorite EETA79001: implications for oxidants and organics. Icarus
[doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2013.11.012]
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Jian-Yang Li¹ et al. (>10)*
*Find the extensive, full author and affiliation list on the publishers website.

¹Planetary Science Institute, 1700 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA

We report results from broadband visible images of comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 on 2013 April 10. C/ISON’s coma brightness follows a 1/ρ (where ρ is the projected distance from the nucleus) profile out to 5000 km, consistent with a constant speed dust outflow model. The turnaround distance in the sunward direction suggests that the dust coma is composed of sub-micron-sized particles emitted at speeds of tens of m s^-1. A(θ)fρ, which is commonly used to characterize the dust production rate, was 1340 and 1240 cm in the F606W and F438W filters, respectively, in apertures <1.”6 in radius. The dust colors are slightly redder than solar, with a slope of 5.0% ± 0.2% per 100 nm, increasing to >10% per 100 nm 10,000 km down the tail. The colors are similar to those of comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) and other long-period comets, but somewhat bluer than typical values for short-period comets. The spatial color variations are also reminiscent of C/Hale-Bopp. A sunward jet is visible in enhanced images, curving to the north and then tailward in the outer coma. The 1.”6 long jet is centered at a position angle of 291°, with an opening angle of ~45°. The jet morphology remains unchanged over 19 hr of our observations, suggesting that it is near the rotational pole of the nucleus, and implying that the pole points to within 30° of (R.A., decl.) = (330°, 0°). This pole orientation indicates a high obliquity of 50°-80°.

Reference
Li J-Y et al. (2013) Characterizing the Dust Coma of Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) at 4.15 AU from the Sun. The Astrophysical Journal – Letters 342:960-963.
[doi:10.1088/2041-8205/779/1/L3]

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Minitti^a et al. (>>10)*
*Find the extensive, full author and affiliation list on the publishers website.

^aApplied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland, USA

During Martian solar days 57–100, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover acquired and processed a solid (sediment) sample and analyzed its mineralogy and geochemistry with the Chemistry and Mineralogy and Sample Analysis at Mars instruments. An aeolian deposit—herein referred to as the Rocknest sand shadow—was inferred to represent a global average soil composition and selected for study to facilitate integration of analytical results with observations from earlier missions. During first-time activities, the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) was used to support both science and engineering activities related to sample assessment, collection, and delivery. Here we report on MAHLI activities that directly supported sample analysis and provide MAHLI observations regarding the grain-scale characteristics of the Rocknest sand shadow. MAHLI imaging confirms that the Rocknest sand shadow is one of a family of bimodal aeolian accumulations on Mars—similar to the coarse-grained ripples interrogated by the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity—in which a surface veneer of coarse-grained sediment stabilizes predominantly fine-grained sediment of the deposit interior. The similarity in grain size distribution of these geographically disparate deposits support the widespread occurrence of bimodal aeolian transport on Mars. We suggest that preservation of bimodal aeolian deposits may be characteristic of regions of active deflation, where winnowing of the fine-sediment fraction results in a relatively low sediment load and a preferential increase in the coarse-grained fraction of the sediment load. The compositional similarity of Martian aeolian deposits supports the potential for global redistribution of fine-grained components, combined with potential local contributions.

Reference
Minitti ME et al. (in press) MAHLI at the Rocknest sand shadow: Science and science-enabling activities. Journal of Geophysical Research – Planets
[doi:10.1002/2013JE004426]
Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons

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Howard^a et al. (>10)*
*Find the extensive, full author and affiliation list on the publishers website.

^aInstitute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA

We currently seek a copyright agreement with Nature to display abstracts of their cosmochemistry related publications.

Reference
Howard AW et al. (2013) A rocky composition for an Earth-sized exoplanet. Nature 503:381–384.
[doi:10.1038/nature12767]

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Pepe^a et al. (>>10)*
*Find the extensive, full author and affiliation list on the publishers website.

^aObservatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, 51 chemin des Maillettes, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

We currently seek a copyright agreement with Nature to display abstracts of their cosmochemistry related publications.

Reference
Pepe F et al. (2013) An Earth-sized planet with an Earth-like density. Nature 503:377–380.
[doi:10.1038/nature12768]

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D. Bodewits^a, J.-B. Vincent^b and M.S.P. Kelley^a

^aDepartment of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742-2421, USA
^bMax-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 2, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany

Asteroid (596) Scheila was the first object for which the immediate aftermath of an inter-asteroidal collision was observed. In Dec. 2010, the 113 km-sized asteroid was impacted by a smaller asteroid of less than 100 m in diameter. The scale of the impactor was established by observations of fading ejecta plumes. Comparison of the light curves obtained before and after the impact allowed us to assess how much of Scheila’s surface was altered. Cratering physics based on the impactor size suggests that the size of the affected area is larger than expected, (effective radii of 3.5 – 10 km depending on the change in the albedo of the surface). Similar but more localized albedo changes have been observed on Vesta and the Martian moons, but are not understood. Empirical laws describing ejecta blankets however indicate that at distances between 3.5 – 10 km from the crater, Scheila’s surface would be covered by a thin layer 2 mm to 2 cm thick. This dusting, possibly mixed with bright impactor material may be enough to explain to observed brightness increase. Our results show that sub-critical impacts may play a significant role in processing the surfaces of asteroids. The large effect of small impacts on asteroidal light curves complicate shape modeling.

Reference
Bodewits D, Vincent J-B and Kelley MSP (in press) Scheila’s Scar: Direct Evidence of Impact Surface Alteration on a Primitive Asteroid. Icarus
[doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2013.11.003]
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S. Mazrouei^a, M.G. Daly^a, O.S. Barnouin^b, C.M. Ernst^b, I. DeSouza^a

^aThe Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, Ont., Canada, M3J 1P3
^bThe Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723-6099, USA

Asteroid 25143 Itokawa is a small elongated asteroid with two distinct parts. The evolution of this two-part body has been the source of speculation. The scenarios for the formation of this asteroid include: two-body capture, catastrophic disruption and rapid reaccretion, YORP spin-up and mass shedding, and disruption (or partial disruption) with two-body reaccretion. In this paper we use the global and regional analyses of block populations and size-frequency distributions as evidence of the probable evolutionary history of Itokawa. The block sample used in this study is believed to be complete for blocks of size >6m and consists of a sample more than twice as large as previous known studies.
Although block size frequency distributions hint at different evolutionary paths for the head and the body, their differences are not statistically significant. The distribution of blocks across each body provides clues as to the histories of each body. The head is populated in a spherically symmetric fashion while the body has a distinct equatorial peak. When considering that the head and the body may have been separate entities for a period of time and estimating a rotational axis using minimum rotational energy considerations, the preferential equatorial distribution becomes even more pronounced. We interpret this as excellent evidence for the partial disruption of a proto-Itokawa, subsequent planarization of a debris field and reaccretion of the head and the body into its present configuration.

Reference
Mazrouei S, Daly MG, Barnouin OS, Ernst CM and DeSouza I (in press) Block Distributions on Itokawa. Icarus
[doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2013.11.010]
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Kenji Furuya¹, Yuri Aikawa¹, Hideko Nomura^2,3,4, Franck Hersant^5,6 and Valentine Wakelam^5,6

¹Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
²Department of Astronomy, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
³National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588, Japan
⁴Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
⁵University of Bordeaux, LAB, UMR 5804, F-33270 Floirac, France
⁶Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LAB, UMR 5804, F-33270 Floirac, France

We investigate water and deuterated water chemistry in turbulent protoplanetary disks. Chemical rate equations are solved with the diffusion term, mimicking turbulent mixing in a vertical direction. Water near the midplane is transported to the disk atmosphere by turbulence and is destroyed by photoreactions to produce atomic oxygen, while the atomic oxygen is transported to the midplane and reforms water and/or other molecules. We find that this cycle significantly decreases column densities of water ice at r  30 AU, where dust temperatures are too high to reform water ice effectively. The radial extent of such region depends on the desorption energy of atomic hydrogen. Our model indicates that water ice could be deficient even outside the sublimation radius. Outside this radius, the cycle decreases the deuterium-to-hydrogen (D/H) ratio of water ice from ~2 × 10^-2, which is set by the collapsing core model, to 10^-4–10^-2 in 10⁶ yr, without significantly decreasing the water ice column density. The resultant D/H ratios depend on the strength of mixing and the radial distance from the central star. Our finding suggests that the D/H ratio of cometary water (~10^-4) could be established (i.e., cometary water could be formed) in the solar nebula, even if the D/H ratio of water ice delivered to the disk was very high (~10^-2).

Reference
Furuya K, Aikawa Y, Nomura H, Hersant F and Wakelam V (2013) Water in Protoplanetary Disks: Deuteration and Turbulent Mixing. The Astrophysical Journal 779:11.
[doi:10.1088/0004-637X/779/1/11]

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S.R. Gainey^a, E.M. Hausrath^a, J.A. Hurowitz^b, R.E. Milliken^c

^aDepartment of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89154-4010
^bDepartment of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, 255 Earth and Space Sciences Building (ESS), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2100
^cGeological Sciences, Brown University, 324 Brook Street Box 1846 Providence, RI 02912

The Fe-rich smectite nontronite M⁺_1.05[Si_6.98Al_1.02][Al_0.29Fe_3.68Mg_0.04]O₂₀(OH)₄ has been detected using orbital data at multiple locations in ancient terrains on Mars, including Mawrth Vallis, Nilli Fossae, north of the Syrtis Major volcanic plateau, Terra Meridiani, and the landing site of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), Gale Crater. Given the antiquity of these sites (>3.0Ga), it is likely that nontronite has been exposed to the martian environment for long periods of time and therefore provides an integrated record of processes in near surface environments including pedogenesis and diagenesis. In particular, nontronite detected at Mawrth Vallis, is overlain by montmorillonite and kaolinite, and it has been previously suggested that this mineralogical sequence may be the result of surface weathering. In order to better understand clay mineral weathering on Mars, we measured dissolution rates of nontronite in column reactors at solution pH values of 0.9, 1.7, and 3.0, and two flow rates (0.16 ml/hr and 0.32 ml/hr). Solution chemistry indicates stoichiometric dissolution at pH = 0.9 and non-stoichiometric dissolution at pH = 1.7 and 3.0. Mineral dissolution rates based on elemental release rates at pH = 1.7 and 3.0 of Ca, Si and Fe follow the order interlayer> tetrahedral> octahedral sites, respectively. The behavior of all experiments suggest far from equilibrium conditions, with the exception of the experiment performed at pH 3.0 and flow rate 0.16 ml/h. A pH-dependent dissolution rate law was calculated through Si release from experiments that showed no dependence on saturation (far from equilibrium conditions) under both flow rates and is r = 10^{-12.06 (±0.123)} • 10^{-0.297 (±0.058)•pH} where r has the units mol mineral m^-2s^-1. When compared to dissolution rates from the literature, our results indicate that nontronite dissolution is significantly slower than dissolution of the primary phases present in basalt under acidic conditions, suggesting that once nontronite forms it could remain stable at or near the surface of Mars for extended periods of time. Nontronite dissolution rates are faster than dissolution rates of montmorillonite (Rozalén et al., 2008) and kaolinite (Huertas et al., 1999), suggesting that chemical weathering of a mixed clay deposit would enrich the proportions of montmorillonite and kaolinite through the preferential dissolution of nontronite. VIS-NIR analyses of our reacted products and thermodynamic modeling of our experimental conditions both indicate the precipitation of amorphous silica within columns, and amorphous silica has also been observed in association with phyllosilicates on the martian surface ( ,  and ). Therefore, chemical weathering of strata containing mixtures of montmorillonite, nontronite and kaolinite provides a potential formation mechanism for the mineralogic stratigraphy observed at Mawrth Vallis and other locations on Mars.

Reference
Gainey SR, Hausrath EM, Hurowitz JA and Milliken RE (in press) Nontronite Dissolution Rates and Implications for Mars. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
[doi:10.1016/j.gca.2013.10.055]
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