Inquiry Mapping Activity

Mars

Mapping Activity

FocusFinding evidence of water on another planet. Using GIS to evaluate likelihood and determine best location.

Lesson ObjectivesUnderstand that terrestrial planet surfaces have similar histories.Recognize that satellite data has a lot of detail and purposes. Identify different tools and capabilities of satellite datasets.Use remote sensing to address a scientific question

Lesson OutcomesDescribe how different satellite datasets work.Identify the criteria in picking surfaces that show water flow evidence.Apply these criteria to choose best location.Justify the decisions that have been made.Describe the geological history and processes involved in formation of the landscapeReflect on the value of remote sensing to scientists unable to reach another planet themselves.

Finding the Image

Google Mars

Topography

Colourized Terrain Visible Imagery

Make 2 observations and inferences of your Landing Site

Echus Chasma

Mapping

Draw a Map: Outline areas of different appearance

Legend

Craters

Trough

Gullies

Ridge

Plateau P

Valley floor VF

100 km

Satellite Imagery Search

P15_006876_1820_XN_02N077W

At the end, you have:

Completed Activity sheet Hand-drawn map of your chosen

landing site Images (at different scales, with

context views) & information

Need to create a report

Next time: present your results!

More Information for the Teacher

Data available on Google Mars Global Maps

Visible Imagery Colourized Terrain Daytime Infrared Nightime Infrared Viking Colour Imagery

Spacecraft Imagery HiRISE Images CTX Images MOC Images HRSC Images CRISM Images

Mars Gallery

Materials Required

For drawing map: Paper Pencils (colour/HB) Erasers rulers

For finding data: Google Earth (Mars), Mars Instrument websites

Things to evaluate on

What is required on a map: Title Legend/key (short but concise)▪ symbols

North arrow Scale bar Border Summary of observations