Using gravimetry to predict the gravity traverse of the Perseverance Rover

Aaron Villahermosa

Mentor: Dr. Kevin Lewis

Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Lewis and Jacob Adler

Institution: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University

Gravimetry, the study of minute changes in a gravitational field, is a dynamic and useful way to explore Mars. In the past, gravimetry has been used to unearth the past of Gale Crater and how Mount Sharp came to be by inferring the density of Gale Crater’s subsurface rocks. I have done something similar with the upcoming Mars 2020 Rover that is set to land on Jezero Crater. Utilizing the bouguer formula and gravity equations, I have made graphs that predict the relationship between the density of the subsurface material during the rover’s traverse and the gravity of Mars as well as the relationship between the elevation of the traverse and the gravity of Mars. Building off of those graphs, I have created a colorgraph that combines the impact of both the local elevations and the theoretical densities throughout the whole traverse. Although I have the raw data needed to come up with final results, I have not yet closely analyzed and discussed the implications of the data that I have compiled. That, along with devising a map on QGIS depicting the possible traverse, gravity values, and geological features that could be seen during the rover’s journey, is the final step that I must complete. After making a QGIS map depicting the traverse route and elevation values, I have determined that the western delta fan of Jezero crater is potentially a treasure trove of valuable information pertaining to Mars’s past.