CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars)
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CRISM's Investigations and New Discoveries (2006-present)

CRISM began its exploration of Mars in late 2006. Results from the OMEGA visible/near-infrared spectrometer on Mars Express (2003-present), the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER; 2003-present), the TES thermal emission spectrometer on Mars Global Surveyor (MGS; 1997-2006), and the THEMIS thermal imaging system on Mars Odyssey (2004-present) helped to frame the themes for CRISM's exploration:

  1. Where and when did Mars have persistently wet environments?
  2. What is the composition of Mars' crust?
  3. What are the characteristics of Mars' modern climate?

This summary describes CRISM's discoveries pursuing each theme, covering for each theme:

  • Science background
  • The pre-CRISM view
  • CRISM's science questions
  • CRISM's new discoveries