The journal, Astrobiology, has published a rapid communication from Ken Lepper, NDSU associate professor of geology. Titled, "The Effect of Evaporated Salt Solutions on the Optical Dating Properties of JSC Mars-1: ‘Seasoning’ for a Mars Soil Simulant," the paper reports Lepper's results of on-going research to adapt optical dating for use on future Mars’ missions.

According to Lepper, In-situ optical dating is envisioned to take place from robotic platforms with the goal of providing planetary scientists with a better understanding of the geologic ages of Martian landscapes. His current research primarily focuses on characterizing and documenting the optical geochronometric properties of terrestrial geologic materials that are thought to be analogous to Mars’ surface sediments. Basic characterization experiments are easily parceled into undergraduate research projects and numerous NDSU students have enjoyed laboratory research experiences, while dreaming of Mars.

This fall Andrew Gorz, undergraduate geosciences major and NASA Space Grant Fellow, will present the results of his Mars-related research at the National Meeting of the Geological Society of America in Portland, Ore. Gorz's presentation is titled "OSL Dating Properties of Mg-carbonate: A Recently Discovered Mineral in Martian Sediments" and is co-written by Lepper.