Overview of analogue science activities at the McGill Arctic Research Station, Axel Heiberg Island, Canadian High Arctic

摘要: Abstract The Canadian High Arctic contains several of the highest fidelity Mars analogue sites in world. Situated at nearly 80° north, Expedition Fjord on Axel Heiberg Island is located within a polar desert climate, with surrounding landscape and conditions providing an invaluable opportunity to examine terrestrial processes cold, dry environment. Through Space Agency's Analogue Research Network program, scientific activities based out McGill Station (M.A.R.S.) are extremely broad scope, representing physical, biological, technological investigations. Some most unique hydrogeologic features under investigation near M.A.R.S. series cold saline springs that maintain liquid-state flow year round regardless air temperature. Previous studies have examined their geomorphic relation discharge-related formations, water chemistry, temperature monitoring, discharge rates, combined flow/thermal modeling. Recent investigations identified microbial communities characterized biological activity permafrost sections, having direct relevance astrobiological research goals. Another main thrust pertains detection, mapping, quantification subsurface ice deposits. A long-term study presently underway examining polygonal terrain, comparing surficial patterns found region those Mars, using surface morphology estimate wedge volumes through combination aerial photography interpretation ground-based geophysical techniques. Other developments include use situ microscopy for detection biomarkers improved drilling This paper presents overview previous undertaken over past decades will describe detail both present upcoming work.