This paper provides an overview of the Curiosity rover's exploration at Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) and summarizes the science results. VRR is a distinct geomorphic feature on lower Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) that was identified in orbital data based on its distinct texture, topographic expression, and association with a hematite spectral signature. Curiosity conducted extensive remote sensing observations, acquired data on dozens of contact science targets, and drilled three outcrop samples from the ridge, as well as one outcrop sample immediately below the ridge. Our observations indicate that strata composing VRR were deposited in a predominantly lacustrine setting and are part of the Murray formation. The rocks within the ridge are chemically in family with underlying Murray formation strata. Red hematite is dispersed throughout much of the VRR bedrock, and this is the source of the orbital spectral detection. Gray hematite is also present in isolated, gray‐colored patches concentrated toward the upper elevations of VRR, and these gray patches also contain small, dark Fe‐rich nodules. We propose that VRR formed when diagenetic event(s) preferentially hardened rocks, which were subsequently eroded into a ridge by wind. Diagenesis also led to enhanced crystallization and/or cementation that deepened the ferric‐related spectral absorptions on the ridge, which helped make them readily distinguishable from orbit. Results add to existing evidence of protracted aqueous environments at Gale crater and give new insight into how diagenesis shaped Mars' rock record.

中文翻译：

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火星盖尔陨石坑维拉鲁宾山脊成岩起源的证据：好奇号探索活动的总结和综合

本文概述了好奇号火星车在维拉鲁宾山脊（VRR）的探索并总结了科学结果。VRR 是低风神山（俗称夏普山）上的一个独特地貌特征，是根据其独特的纹理、地形表现以及与赤铁矿光谱特征的关联在轨道数据中识别出来的。好奇号进行了广泛的遥感观测，获取了数十个接触科学目标的数据，并从山脊钻取了三个露头样本，以及紧邻山脊下方的一个露头样本。我们的观察表明，组成 VRR 的地层主要沉积在湖泊环境中，并且是 Murray 地层的一部分。山脊内的岩石在化学上与下面的墨累地层地层属于同一族。红色赤铁矿分散在 VRR 基岩的大部分区域，这是轨道光谱探测的来源。灰色赤铁矿也存在于孤立的灰色斑块中，集中在 VRR 的上部海拔处，这些灰色斑块还含有小的、深色的富铁结核。我们认为，当成岩事件优先使岩石硬化，随后被风侵蚀成山脊时，VRR 就形成了。成岩作用还导致结晶和/或胶结作用增强，加深了山脊上与铁相关的光谱吸收，这有助于使它们易于与轨道区分开来。研究结果补充了盖尔陨石坑长期水环境的现有证据，并为成岩作用如何塑造火星岩石记录提供了新的见解。