A5016763249- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Marine and environmental studies
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Thermography and Photoacoustic Techniques
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Historical and Architectural Studies
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
University of Central Florida
2019-2024
University of Oxford
2014-2023
Armstrong Flight Research Center
2018
University of Arizona
2005-2017
Science Oxford
2017
Brown University
2009-2016
Ames Research Center
2010
Abstract During its approach to asteroid (101955) Bennu, NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft surveyed Bennu’s immediate environment, photometric properties, rotation state. Discovery of a dusty natural satellite, or unexpected characteristics would have had consequences for the mission’s safety observation strategy. Here we show that observations during this period were highly sensitive satellites (sub-meter...
Using data from the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment, we show that four regions of Moon previously described as "red spots" exhibit mid-infrared spectra best explained by quartz, silica-rich glass, or alkali feldspar. These lithologies are consistent with evolved rocks similar to lunar granites in Apollo samples. The spectral character these spots is distinct surrounding mare and highlands material composed pure plagioclase variety landforms associated silicic suggests both extrusive...
We obtained direct global measurements of the lunar surface using multispectral thermal emission mapping with Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Radiometer Experiment. Most terrains have spectral signatures that are consistent known anorthosite and basalt compositions. However, data also revealed presence highly evolved, silica-rich soils in kilometer-scale larger exposures, expanded compositional range anorthosites dominate crust, shown pristine mantle is not exposed at kilometer scale....
Recent advancements in visible to near infrared orbital measurements of the lunar surface have allowed character and extent primary anorthositic crust be studied at unprecedented spatial spectral resolutions. Here we assess global context using a parameter tool for Moon Mineralogy Mapper data identify map Fe-bearing crystalline plagioclase based on its diagnostic 1.25 µm absorption band. This allows plagioclase-dominated rocks, specifically anorthosites, unambiguously identified as well...
Research Article| December 01, 2023 Magmatic Evolution I: Initial Differentiation of the Moon Amy M. Gaffney; Gaffney Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA gaffney1@llnl.gov Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Juliane Gross; Gross Department Earth Planetary Sciences, Rutgers, The State University New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USADepartment American Museum Natural History, York, NY 10024, USALunar...
The Orientale basin is a multiring impact structure on the western limb of Moon that provides clear view primary lunar crust exposed during formation. Previously, near‐infrared reflectance spectra suggested Orientale's Inner Rook Ring (IRR) very poor in mafic minerals and may represent anorthosite excavated from Moon's upper crust. However, detailed assessment mineralogy these anorthosites was prohibited because available spectroscopic data sets did not identify diagnostic plagioclase...
A robust assessment is made of the distribution and (spatially resolved) geologic context for newly identified rock type on Moon, a Mg-spinel-bearing anorthosite (pink-spinel anorthosite, PSA). Essential criteria confirmed detection Mg-spinel using spectroscopic techniques are presented these applied to recent data from Moon Mineralogy Mapper. Altogether, 23 regions containing exposures new identified. All in highly feldspathic terrain small-a few hundred meters-but distinct verifiable, most...
Abstract Maps of plagioclase, olivine, and pyroxene at 1 km resolution are derived from a combination data the Diviner Lunar Radiometer on Reconnaissance Orbiter Kaguya Multiband Imager. The instrument features three infrared bands designed to characterize spectral feature lunar soils that is sensitive average silica polymerization surface called Christiansen Feature, which directly presence dominant silicate. Existing global mineral maps based near‐IR largely infer plagioclase bright...
Multispectral infrared measurements by the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment on Renaissance Orbiter enable characterization of position Christiansen Feature, a thermal spectral feature that laboratory work has shown is proportional to bulk silica content lunar surface materials. show this also influenced changes in optical and physical properties with exposure space, process known as space weathering. Large rayed craters swirls corresponding Feature anomalies. The weathering effect likely...
Abstract The highly hydrated, petrologic type 1 CM and CI carbonaceous chondrites likely derived from primitive, water‐rich asteroids, two of which are the targets for JAXA 's Hayabusa2 NASA OSIRIS ‐ RE x missions. We have collected visible near‐infrared ( VNIR ) mid infrared MIR reflectance spectra well‐characterized 1/2, 1, identified trends related to their mineralogy degree secondary processing. spectral slope between 0.65 1.05 μm decreases with increasing total phyllosilicate abundance...
Research Article| December 01, 2023 The Evolution of the Lunar Crust Stephen M. Elardo; Elardo Florida Planets Lab, Department Geological Sciences, University Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USAEarth and Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, DC 20015, USA selardo@ufl.edu Search other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Carle Pieters; Pieters Earth, Environmental, Planetary Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, carle_pieters@brown.edu Deepak Dhingra; Dhingra...
Abstract Questions about the formation of primary anorthositic crust Moon remain unanswered. Spectroscopic surveys lunar have evidenced presence pure, crystalline plagioclase exposures (PCPEs) across surface, which are assumed to be remnants Moon's ancient crust. Results from our work show that composition within PCPEs in all geochemical terranes is relatively uniform and consistent with highly calcic anorthite found immature mature Apollo highlands regolith samples. Observed variations...
We present new laboratory thermal infrared emissivity spectra of the major silicate minerals identified on Moon measured under lunar environmental conditions and evaluate their application to remote sensing data sets. Thermal spectral changes between ambient are characterized for first time over 400∼1700 cm −1 (6–25 μ m) range a fine‐particulate mineral suite including plagioclase (albite anorthite), pyroxene (enstatite augite), olivine (forsterite). The environment introduces observable...
New laboratory thermal infrared emissivity measurements of the plagioclase solid solution series over 1700 ∼ 400 cm −1 (6–25 μ m) spectral range are presented. Thermal (TIR) changes for fine‐particulate samples (0–25 characterized first time under different environmental conditions: ambient (terrestrial‐like), half‐vacuum (Mars‐like), vacuum, and vacuum with cooled chamber (lunar‐like). Under all conditions Christiansen Feature (CF) is observed to vary in a systematic way Na‐rich end‐member...
Abstract A set of high‐fidelity simulated asteroid materials, or simulants, was developed based on the mineralogy carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Three varieties simulant were CI 1 chondrites (typified by Orgueil), CM 2 Murchison), and CR 2/3 (multiple samples). The simulants designed to replicate physical properties corresponding meteorites anticipated surface materials as closely is reasonably possible for bulk amounts. can be made in different forms ranging from larger cobbles...
Thermal infrared reflectance spectra of rock‐forming minerals include a prominent minimum near 8 μ m, known as the “Christiansen feature” (CF). The inflection point wavelength is sensitive to degree polymerization silicates, which strongly influenced by major cations – notably iron in minerals. Laboratory lunar soils demonstrate that CF location closely correlated sample's bulk FeO abundance, across full range Apollo soil samples, including pyroclastic glass. This correlation basis for...
Remote sensing observations have identified aluminate spinel, in the absence of measureable olivine and pyroxene, as a globally distributed component lunar crust. Earlier remote returned samples did not indicate presence this component, leaving its geologic significance unclear. Here, we report visible to mid-infrared (V-IR) reflectance (300-25 000 nm) Mössbauer spectra spinels, synthesized at lunar-like oxygen fugacity (ƒO2), that vary systematically Fe abundance. Reflectance particulate...
Abstract Our understanding of the formation and evolution primary lunar crust is based on geochemical systematics from ferroan anorthosite (FAN) suite. Recently, much effort has been made to understand this suite’s petrologic history constrain timing crystallisation interpret FAN chemical diversity. We investigate shock histories anorthosites by combining Optical Microscope (OM) ‘cold’ cathodoluminescence (CL)-imaging Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses. In first combined...
We describe Castalia, a proposed mission to rendezvous with Main Belt Comet (MBC), 133P/Elst-Pizarro. MBCs are recently discovered population of apparently icy bodies within the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, which may represent remnants supplied early Earth water. Castalia will perform first exploration this by characterising 133P in detail, solving puzzle MBC's activity, making situ measurements water belt. In many ways successor ESA's highly successful Rosetta mission, allow...