NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Infrared optical properties of Mars soil analog materials: PalagonitesThe globally distributed bright soils on Mars represent products of chemical alteration of primary igneous materials. As such, understanding the chemistry and mineralogy of these soils provides clues about the nature of the parent materials and the type, duration, and extent of the chemical weathering environments on Mars. Such clues are key in developing an understanding of the interior and surficial processes that have operated throughout Mars' history to yield the surface as it is currently observed. The generally homogeneous nature of these soils is illustrated by a variety of observational data. These data include (1) direct determination of elemental abundances by the X-ray fluorescence instruments on both Viking Landers, (2) Earth-based telescopic observations, and (3) space-based observations. Based on their spectral properties in the visible and near-infrared, terrestrial palagonitic soils have been suggested as analogs for the bright regions on Mars. Palagonites represent the weathering products of basaltic glass and as such are composed of a variety of minerals/materials. In order to gain an understanding regarding the chemical, mineralogical, and spectral properties of a broad suite of palagonites, several samples were collected from the eastern and central regions of the island of Hawaii.
Document ID
19930022768
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Roush, Ted L.
(San Francisco State Univ. CA., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
September 12, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., MSATT Workshop on Chemical Weathering on Mars
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
93N31957
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available