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Iron Moessbauer spectroscopy: Superparamagnetism in hydrothermal vents and the search for evidence of past life on MarsIn view of the demonstrated value of Iron Moessbauer Spectroscopy (FeMS) in the study of extraterrestrial iron and the fact that, after silicon and oxygen, iron is the most abundant element on the surface of Mars, we proposed, and have under development, a backscatter Moessbauer spectrometer with x ray fluorescence capability (BaMS/XRF) for use on Mars as a geophysical prospecting instrument. Specifically, we have proposed BaMS/XRF as part of the geochemistry instrumentation on NASA's Mars Environment Survey (MESUR) mission. BaMS/XRF will have applications in: (1) the study of past environments through the examination of sedimentary material; (2) the study of the contemporary Martian environment; and (3) the study of iron-containing minerals of possible biogenic origin. Development of a reference library from a geophysical point of view for putative Martian surface materials at appropriate temperatures is now underway. We carried out preliminary optical reflectance and FeMS measurements on mineral products (iron oxyhydroxides) of deep-sea hydrothermal activity. Various aspects of this investigation are presented.
Document ID
19920019746
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Agresti, David G.
(Alabama Univ. Birmingham, AL, United States)
Wdowiak, Thomas J.
(Alabama Univ. Birmingham, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Workshop on the Martian Surface and Atmosphere Through Time
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
92N28989
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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