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Characterizing Martian X-ray Amorphous Materials through Terrestrial Analogs X-ray amorphous materials (i.e., lacking long-range crystallographic order) have been identified on the martian surface from orbit and in-situ. Initial models of orbital IR spectral data identified volcanic glasses [e.g., 1], but subsequent interpretations suggested that amorphous silicates are dominantly secondary in nature and formed from water-rock interactions [e.g., 2-4]. ThermalIR spectra from the Mini-Thermal Emission Spectrometer on the Spirit rover show evidence for the amorphous secondary product opaline silica[e.g., 5].X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements by the CheMin instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory rover have identified 20-70 wt.% amorphous materials in every sample analyzed in Gale crater to date [e.g., 6]. Mass balance calculations using CheMin results and bulk elemental measurements by the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer suggest the amorphous component in Gale crater is variably enriched in Si, Fe, and S[e.g., 7,8].The compositions are not consistent with pure volcanic glass, indicating water must have been involved in the formation of amorphous materials in Gale crater. We seek to better constrain the conditions under which amorphous materials on Mars formed by studying the composition and short-range atomic order of amorphous materials in terrestrial analog environments via XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Document ID
20210014299
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
E. B. Rampe
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
M. T. Thorpe
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
R. J. Smith
(Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York, United States)
B. N. H. Horgan
(Purdue University )
A. M. Rutledge
(Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona, United States)
R. Christoffersen
(Jacobs (United States) Dallas, Texas, United States)
R. C. Ewing
(Texas A&M University )
Date Acquired
April 22, 2021
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration
Location: Online
Country: US
Start Date: June 16, 2021
End Date: June 18, 2021
Sponsors: Universities Space Research Association
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 811073.02.52.01.11
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
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