Spatial variations in composition of the Valles Marineris and Isidis Planitia regions of Mars derived from ISM dataThe present study summarizes preliminary results of an analysis of spaceborne near-infrared imaging spectroscopic data obtained from the martian surface. The sources of spectral variation are identified and surface units are mapped on the basis of the observed spectral properties. The findings indicate that strong spectral variations exist down to the limit of spatial resolution (22 x 22 sq km) of the ISM instrument. The most discriminant criteria are brightness, strength of the 3-micron absorption due to hydration, and near-infrared spectral slope. Bright areas are relatively featureless, but spectral subunits can be delimited within them. Dark areas are heterogeneous, with variations related to mafic mineralogy and partial coatings by fine material. Topographic and spectroscopic maps compiled from the ISM data agree in general with previous results, but provide additional detail and compositional information.
Document ID
19910057739
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Erard, S. (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Orsay, France)
Bibring, J.-P. (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Orsay, France)
Forni, O. (CNRS Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France)
Mustard, J. (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Orsay, France)
Head, J. W. (Brown University Providence, RI, United States)