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The Search for Igneous Materials at the Viking Landing SitesThe use of Viking Lander 6 channel (0.4 to 1.1 microns) images to identify igneous materials is discussed. Movies of synthetic image cubes demonstrate that there are a number of contrast reversals between soils and certain rocks. Typically, large, angular rocks are brighter than the surrounding soils in the shortest wavelengths, and much darker than the soils at longest wavelengths. These results, which seem difficult to explain solely on the basis of photometric effects related to local lighting and viewing, are consistent with the presence of Fe+2 bearing silicates at the rock surfaces, producing relatively moderate absorptions in the blue and green parts of the spectrum, but more significant absorptions near about 1.0 micrometer (e.g., Fe+2 bearing pyroxenes). The soils, on the other hand, have signatures consistent with strong Fe+3 related absorptions at shorter wavelengths (e.g., Fe+3 bearing oxides or hydroxides).
Document ID
19850015298
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Arvidson, R. E.
(Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO, United States)
Dale-Bannister, M.
(Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO, United States)
Guinnes, E. A.
(Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Repts. of Planetary Geol. and Geophys. Program, 1984
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85N23609
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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