(00) Mars Library

Explore the surface of Mars! Learn about the surface features for the proposed NASA landing sites for the 2003 MER (Mars Exploration Rover) mission.

(01) Intro History.pse

The viewer will learn and will be able to describe the last 300 years of NASA interest in Mars, recent explorations and related observations.

(02) Earth & Mars.pse

The viewer will learn to identify and differentiate the Earth's position and its relationship to the other inner solar system planets. The viewer will also learn to identify and categorize the relative positions and sizes of Earth, the Moon, and Mars. In addition the viewer will learn to illustrate similarities between the length of a day, planetary tilt, polar caps, and seasons on Earth and Mars. The viewer should also recognize that impact craters are a common feature that Earth, the Moon, and Mars share so the planets and moon can be compared and contrasted.

(03) Crater Form.pse

The viewer will learn to identify and summarize the basic formation process of an impact crater as well as differentiate the major parts of a newly formed impact crater. The viewer will also be able to generalize that impact craters are the most common geological feature in the solar system.

(04) Crater Path.pse

The viewer will learn differentiate the 3 different impact crater classifications: (1) preserved crater, (2) modified crater, and (3) a destroyed crater. In addition the viewer will learn to recognize the splosh crater type and summarize the related theory regarding the formation of splosh craters.

(05) Selection.pse

The viewer will navigate the Martian surface, zooming in on pre-identified locations. The viewer will learn to successfully distinguish impact craters as (1) preserved, (2) modified, or (3) destroyed. The feedback given will compile the viewer's "geological understanding" and more accurately categorize the next impact crater.

(06) Superposition.pse

The viewer will learn to identify and summarize the principle of superposition using impact craters and channels as examples. Overlapping of geological features will be differentiated and sequentially labeled.

(07) Mission.pse

The viewer is assigned a mission to explore the Martian landscape for craters that match certain criteria such as intact raised rims, channel erosion, and so on. With each selection the viewer is given immediate feedback so he or she may apply newly learned information to subsequent selections. The viewer is also presented with questions about the size of features on the landscape in terms of miles, kilometers, latitude and longitude.

(08) Wind & Water Intro.pse

The viewer will learn to identify and summarize the relationship of wind tails to the actual direction of the wind. The viewer will be able to apply their new understanding of wind tails to "wind tail like" features observed on the Martian surface and that feature's possible relationship to water flow.

(09) Water Erosion.pse

The viewer will learn to identify and summarize water flow based on the effects of gravity. In addition, the viewer will generalize that water carries debris from higher elevations to lower elevations and will conclude that water erodes in all directions, especially downward.

(10) Earth & Mars.pse

The viewer will learn to identify and summarize how the erosive effect of water creates ditches, gorges and valleys. The viewer will also explain and differentiate the effects of rapidly flowing water as applied to the Earth's surface and the Martian landscape.

(11) Cutting A.pse

The viewer will learn to identify and describe the cross-cutting principle and differentiate relative age dating relationship among features.

(12) Cutting B.pse

The viewer will learn to identify and differentiate relative age relationships of geologic features, including superposition and cross-cutting relationships. The viewer will also summarize how water tails relate to fluid flow direction.

The viewer will identify and categorize; impact craters, erosion, superposition, cross-cutting, water tails, debris, flow direction and relative age dating on pre-selected Martian sites.