Science Report
05/06/2013
Shannon O Shea
Science Report for 5/6/2013
Rock samples were collected from the locations that were scouted during
the remote terrain
scouting mission yesterday by our crew members during EVA2. The samples
were then analyzed in the
geology laboratory to try to determine distinguishing characteristics from
the samples so that they
could then be identified. The identification of samples along with the GPS
coordinates of where the
samples were collected allows for a better understanding of the geology of
the area surrounding the
Hab. This information could then be used for things such as knowing what
location to go to in order
to find a necessary rocks or minerals to be used for various purposes such
as construction,
materials for making things, and chemical reactions. The descriptions of
the samples were then
taken by recording visual observations, and observations using a magnifying
glass and a microscope.
The samples were then split into smaller samples using a rock hammer and
the approximate relative
hardness, and mass were recorded. The samples were then placed into a
graduated cylinder that
contained water and the new volume was recorded so that the volume displaced
was then found. The
density and specific gravity of the samples could then be found from the
mass and volume to help
with identification of the samples. The accuracy of the volume measurements
are + or - 1ml due to
the availability of measuring equipment so volume calculations are pretty
approximate. The
descriptions of the samples collected are recorded below along with their
GPS locations. Crew 130
has not been able to make any definitive determinations of what the samples
are as of yet since we
do not have an experienced geologists in our midst only amateurs attempting
to learn more about the
geology of our environment.
Test Sample 1 GPS Location 12S 0518324 mE, 4250736
Description of notable characteristics. Sample was a dark gray color with
white areas. The sample
seemed fairly hard. It was easy to break with a rock hammer and broke off
in a sheet like piece.
The mass of the small sample measured using a digital scale was 3.94 grams.
The initial volume used
was 11 ml of water and when the small piece of the sample was placed in it
the total volume was 12
ml for a displacement of approximately 1 ml.
Test Sample 2 GPS Location 12S 0518330 mE, 4250976 mN
Description of notable characteristics. Very dark gray appearance inside
Hab, and in outside
lighting appeared black. Surface is slightly dimpled and appears kind of
like it is melted.
Material was very hard and not able to be broken with rock hammer even with
multiple impacts. When
hit with hammer the outside thin layer came off and could see that was only
black on outside surface
inside was white or light gray. The mass of the sample was 93.26 grams and
volume was not able to
be measured since could not fit in container.
Test Sample 3 GPS Location 12S 0518284 mE 4250781 mN
Light brown dirt or clay like object with interesting raised small black
specs on it, possible some
sort of organic material.
Test Sample 4 GPS Location 12S 0518284 mE, 4250781 mN
Sample was brownish orange or yellow layered with lighter tan bands. Also
had very small black
specs about the size of pepper. Textural was sand like or granular. On one
portion of the sample
there were very small gray growths that sort of looked like barnacles with
black in there center.
These growths were approximately 1mm in diameter and were hypothesized to be
some sort of organic
growth. The sample when hit with a rock hammer seemed very fragile or
brittle and broke apart
easily into multiple pieces. The small sample taken was 5.85 grams and the
volume displacement was
2 ml and there was also a lot of air bubbles that rose when the sample was
placed in water. Based
on the observations we hypothesize that this sample might be of some type of
sandstone.
Test Sample 5 GPS Location 12S 0518324 mE, 4250736 mN
This sample was taken from where the remote terrain scouting was done. The
sample was a large
rectangular block that was darkish red brown color, with white or tan on the
top layer of about 1 cm
depth that was more cracked or flake like. The surface of the lower part
was somewhat smooth but
bumpy looking under the magnifying glass. The sample was a little hard but
broke easily into kind
of flat pieces. The small sample had a mass of 8.13 grams and a volume
displacement of 3 ml.
Test Sample 6 GPS Location 12S 0518324 mE, 4250736 mN
This sample was also taken from where the remote terrain scouting was done.
The sample was very
smooth but not at all shiny in appearance. It was a dark brown or red to
purple in color, it also
had white sections that faded to gray next to the purplish sections and to
yellowish brown in the
center of the white sections. They were very hard but able to be broken
with the hammer and split
along some preexisting cracks. The small sample was 5.89 grams the
displaced volume was
approximately 2 ml.