NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Remote-Raman and Micro-Raman Studies of Solid CO2, CH4, Gas Hydrates and IceIt is well known that on Mars CO2 is the principal constituent of the thin atmosphere and on a seasonal basis CO2 snow and frost coats the polar caps. Also over 25% of the Martian atmosphere freezes out and sublimes again each year. The Mars Odyssey Emission Imaging system (THEMIS) has discovered water ice exposed near the edge of Mars southern perennials cap. In recent years, it has been suggested that in Martian subsurface CO2 may exist as gas hydrate (8CO2 + 44 H2O) with melting temperature of 10C. Since the crust of Mars has been stable for enough time there is also a possibility that methane formed by magmatic processes and/or as a byproduct of anaerobic deep biosphere activity to have raised toward the planet s surface. This methane would have been captured and stored as methane hydrate, which concentrates methane and water. Determination of abundance and distribution of these ices on the surface and in the near surface are of fundamental importance for understanding Martian atmosphere, and for future exploration of Mars. In this work, we have evaluated feasibility of using remote Raman and micro-Raman spectroscopy as potential nondestructive and non-contact techniques for detecting solid CO2, CH4 gas, and gas hydrates as well as water-ice on planetary surfaces.
Document ID
20040062530
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sharma, S. K.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Misra, A. K.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Lucey, P. G.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Exarhos, G. J.
(Pacific Northwest National Lab. Richland, WA, United States)
Windisch, C. F., Jr.
(Pacific Northwest National Lab. Richland, WA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Missions and Instruments: Hopes and Hope Fulfilled
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-13101
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Document Inquiry

Available Downloads

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