Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
May 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008agusm.u23a..07h&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2008, abstract #U23A-07
Mathematics
Logic
5410 Composition (1060, 3672), 5464 Remote Sensing, 5494 Instruments And Techniques, 6235 Mercury
Scientific paper
On January 14, 2008, the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft conducted a flyby maneuver past Mercury, providing an opportunity for the instrument payload to observe the planet for the first time. Surface reflectance spectra from the Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS) and multispectral imaging from the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) provide complementary datasets to explore the surface properties of this infrequently observed planet. The point spectroscopy of MASCS provides continuous and broad wavelength coverage but narrow spatial extent for any one observation. Multispectral imaging from MDIS provides continuous and broad spatial coverage but only in eleven selectable narrow wavelength bands. In this way, MDIS imaging provides regional geologic context for the high-spectral-resolution data from MASCS. The spectral properties of Mercury are often interpreted through a comparison with Earth's Moon. A common spectroscopic signature observed in lunar reflectance studies is a wide absorption feature centered near a wavelength of 1 μm. This feature indicates the presence of iron-bearing minerals and is prominent in spectra of the dark, mare regions of the lunar surface. While we continue to refine data reduction methods and work to mitigate instrumental effects, at present there is no obvious indication of this absorption feature in the acquired surface spectra of Mercury. However, given the extremely limited spatial coverage of the flyby dataset, the possibility remains that exposed iron-bearing minerals await discovery during two additional flybys as well as the orbital phase of the mission. On the Moon an upturn toward short wavelengths (below 450 nm) is often interpreted as a signature of the opaque mineral ilmenite. The dominant spectroscopic variation as measured by MASCS occurs in the near- ultraviolet, which may be interpreted as heterogeneity in the distribution of this mineral. However, the unique formation history and extreme environment of Mercury preclude a straightforward application of such lunar spectroscopic models at this time. Composition is only one factor in the expression of distinctive spectroscopic features because surfaces exposed to the space environment suffer a constant bombardment of micrometeorites, cosmic rays, and solar flux. We are only beginning to understand the optical effects of these weathering processes on the Moon. Given the proximity of Mercury to the Sun, these effects are expected to be more severe than the lunar case, thereby complicating the spectral analysis. A quantitative comparison of MASCS spectra with MDIS multispectral imaging, a correlation of short-wavelength color variations with geologic units as defined from imaging, and representative spectra support our interpretation for a low-iron composition of the observed region.
Blewett Dave T.
Domingue Donovan L.
Gillis-Davis Jeffery J.
Holsclaw Gregory M.
Izenberg Noam R.
No associations
LandOfFree
Analysis of Surface Reflectance Spectroscopy From the First MESSENGER Flyby of Mercury 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 Analysis of Surface Reflectance Spectroscopy From the First MESSENGER Flyby of Mercury, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Analysis of Surface Reflectance Spectroscopy From the First MESSENGER Flyby of Mercury will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1397731