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The Mineralogy of Martian Dust: Design and Analysis Considerations for an X-Ray Diffraction/X-Ray Fluorescence (XRD/XRF) Instrument for Exobiological StudiesA principal objective of Mars exploration is the search for evidence of past life which may have existed during an earlier clement period of Mars history. We would like to investigate the history of surface water activity (which is a requirement for all known forms of life) by identifying and documenting the distribution of minerals which require water for their formation or distribution. A knowledge of the mineralogy of the present Martian surface would help to identify areas which, due to the early activity of water, might have harbored ancient life. It would be desirable to establish the presence and characterize the distribution of hydrated minerals such as clays, and of minerals which are primarily of sedimentary origin such as carbonates, silica and evaporites. Mineralogy, which is more critical to exobiological exploration than is simple chemical analysis (absent the detection of organics), will remain unknown or will at best be imprecisely constrained unless a technique sensitive to mineral structure such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) is employed. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.
Document ID
20020012349
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Blake, David
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Vaniman, David
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
Bish, David
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
Morrison, David
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Mars Surveyor Science Objectives/Measurement Requirements Workshop
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: May 10, 1994
End Date: May 12, 1994
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 307-57-42-25
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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