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Welcome to the USGS Astrogeology: Mars Module. This module is also available for checkout from the USGS Flagstaff Field Center in the form of a traveling trunk. Many of the materials needed for the following lessons are included in the trunk.

Please contact Mike Dai for more information.

Phone (928) 556-7173
All documents in this page are in .pdf format and have been prepared using Adobe Acrobat. They require the Acrobat Reader software to view them.
Lessons
Lesson 1- Roving on the Red Planet
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Maps and Other Materials
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In this lesson students learn the difficulties involved in using and manipulating robotic vehicles on other planets.
Lesson 2- Topographic Mapping of Mars Using Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) Data
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Students will create both a 3-D planetary surface and a topographic map based on knowledge of geologic landforms. They will then compare and contrast their maps with the constructed terrain model and present results to their peers.
Lesson 3- Making Geologic Maps of the Planet Mars
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Students will construct a terrain model from geologic maps of erosional, depositional, and deformed landscapes. Concepts of relative age are also taught in this lesson.
Lesson 4- Comparing Martian Volcanoes to Terrestrial Volcanoes: Olympus Mons vs. Hawaii
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Students will construct models of Hawaiian volcanoes and Olympus Mons volcano and compare and contrast the two models, interpret data from experimental results and judge whether or not it supports an initial hypothesis. They will also distinguish between different styles of volcanism and identify components of a shield volcano.
Lesson 5- Interpreting Images of Other Planets
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Maps and Other Materials
Students will recognize and identify surface features of Mars using digital images and develop an understanding of the effects of sun angle and direction in digital images.
Resources

What's in the Trunk

Mars Links

MarsMagnets (PDF, 90 KB) (JPEG, 550 KB)

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Last updated: April 7, 2003
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