Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p21a..03p&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P21A-03
Physics
5464 Remote Sensing, 5470 Surface Materials And Properties, 6225 Mars
Scientific paper
After near three years of operation, the OMEGA imaging spectrometer on-board Mars Express has achieved a large coverage of the Martian surface with spatial resolution varying between 300 m and 4.8 km depending on the pericentre altitude of the spacecraft's highly elliptical orbit. We report the global surface distributions of some minerals based on the OMEGA observations in the Visible and Near Infrared wavelength domains (0.35- 2.5 micrometer). Global maps at 32 pixels per degree of mafic minerals (pyroxenes, olivines), hydrated minerals, and ferric oxides have been derived from spectral parameters. The limits of detection in term of abundance for some minerals will be given. The distributions of these materials are in general agreement with the global mineral maps of previous telescopic and space observations. Terrains with water bearing minerals cover a very small fraction of the surface. The bright regions are spectrally well reproduced by anhydrous nanophase ferric oxides. It is demonstrated that this product, commonly referred to dust, could result from in situ alteration over large parts of northern regions. Olivine (preferentially Mg-rich composition and fine grain sizes) is detected in larger parts of the pyroxene-rich regions than previously considered. By contrast, olivine with higher iron content and/or larger grain size (larger than 100 micrometer) is not widely distributed and hardly visible at a global scale. The surface composition of the northern low albedo regions are discussed in the light of these mineral maps. Chemical alteration producing a coating or varnish of anhydrous ferric phases over a dark basaltic surface best explains the VNIR spectral properties of these regions. A glassy composition resulting from impact is also considered.
Bibring J.
Gómez César
Gondet Brigitte
Langevin Yves
Mustard John
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