Other
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p21a..01m&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P21A-01
Other
5410 Composition (1060, 3672), 5464 Remote Sensing, 6225 Mars
Scientific paper
Data from the OMEGA imaging spectrometer on the Mars Express spacecraft have opened a new avenue in the exploration of Mars through remotely sensed mineralogy, complementing the results from the successful thermal emission and gamma ray experiments. OMEGA measures reflected visible-near infrared (VNIR) reflectance of the martian surface, from which absorptions due to iron-bearing and hydrated minerals are recognized. From these absorptions the minerals olivine, pyroxene, iron oxides, hydrated sulfates, and phyllosilicates have been identified. The mafic minerals show a global distribution that is broadly consistent with previous results, while extending the richness of iron-bearing mafic mineral identification. Phyllosilicate- bearing outcrops are apparently restricted largely to Noachian-aged terrains, while hydrated sulfate-bearing outcrops are present in late Noachian to Hesperian-aged terrains. Although hydrated minerals have been suggested by previous measurements, the VNIR data from OMEGA exhibit robust overtone and combination overtone bands that uniquely and definitively identify several sulfate and phyllosilicate minerals. Each OMEGA spectrum shows the presence of a strong hydration band near 3 microns, indicating the presence of hydration. The degree of hydration as measured by this absorption increases towards the poles, and is broadly consistent with the GRS neutron data. Nevertheless there are important differences that are the topic of ongoing investigations. While VNIR data are well suited for Fe- and hydrated minerals, thermal infrared measurements are well suited for a broad range of silicate and other minerals that do not show visible-near infrared absorptions (e.g. feldspar). Both wavelength regions are differentially affected by texture, coatings, and particle size. For example mineral identification in the TIR, can be hampered by fine particulate textures. Significant new insights are likely to be gained by combining these wavelength regions, extracting the most well resolved mineral identifications and estimating abundances that are consistent with the complete spectral domain. Examples include combining VNIR and TIR data over phyllosilicate-rich regions to fully resolve the silicate mineralogy, and full spectral range analyses of low albedo surfaces in the northern plains.
Arvidson Ray
Bibring J.
Gellucci G.
Gondet Brigitte
Jouglet Denis
No associations
LandOfFree
Mars Mineralogy from OMEGA Visible-Near Infrared Measurements does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Mars Mineralogy from OMEGA Visible-Near Infrared Measurements, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mars Mineralogy from OMEGA Visible-Near Infrared Measurements will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-961151