Gregory E. Brittelle
Papers
1
Total Citations
137
H-Index
1
About
Gregory E. Brittelle is a planetary scientist whose work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of water on ancient Mars. His most influential contribution, the 1996 paper "Impact crater lakes on Mars," with 137 citations, proposed a groundbreaking model: large impacts on early Mars could create transient, ice-covered lakes within the resulting craters. This work directly addressed a central question in astrobiology—where could liquid water have persisted long enough to support life? Brittelle demonstrated that these impact crater lakes, shielded from the harsh Martian atmosphere by an ice layer, could remain liquid for thousands of years, providing a critical, accessible habitat for potential microbial life. By linking impact cratering to hydrology, he provided a key framework for targeting future robotic missions. His research remains a cornerstone for understanding Mars' aqueous history and the search for biosignatures, influencing how scientists identify promising landing sites for rovers and sample-return missions.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Impact crater lakes on Mars137 citations · 1996