A5053802628- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Mineralogy and Gemology Studies
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Clay minerals and soil interactions
- Mineral Processing and Grinding
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Marine and environmental studies
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Glass properties and applications
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Iron oxide chemistry and applications
- Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Spectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- X-ray Diffraction in Crystallography
Stony Brook University
2016-2025
Arizona State University
2003-2023
Washington University in St. Louis
2006-2023
Goddard Space Flight Center
2023
Lunar and Planetary Institute
2023
University of New Mexico
2023
University of Aizu
2023
Johnson Space Center
2023
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
2023
University of Notre Dame
2023
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...
Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment surface-temperature maps reveal the existence of widespread surface and near-surface cryogenic regions that extend beyond boundaries persistent shadow. The Crater Observation Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) struck one coldest these regions, where subsurface temperatures are estimated to be 38 kelvin. Large areas lunar polar currently cold enough cold-trap water ice as well a range both more volatile less species. diverse mixture high-volatility compounds...
Chlorides commonly precipitate during the evaporation of surface water or groundwater and volcanic outgassing. Spectrally distinct deposits consistent with chloride-bearing materials have been identified mapped using data from 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System. These are found throughout regions low albedo in southern highlands Mars. Geomorphologic evidence orbiting imagery reveals these to be light-toned relative their surroundings polygonally fractured. The small (<...
The Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) on Opportunity investigated the mineral abundances and compositions of outcrops, rocks, soils at Meridiani Planum. Coarse crystalline hematite olivine-rich basaltic sands were observed as predicted from orbital TES spectroscopy. Outcrops aqueous origin are composed 15 to 35% by volume magnesium calcium sulfates [a high-silica component modeled a combination glass, feldspar, sheet silicates (approximately 20 30%)], hematite; only minor...
Thermal infrared spectra of the martian surface indicate presence small concentrations (approximately 2 to 5 weight %) carbonates, specifically dominated by magnesite (MgCO3). The carbonates are widely distributed in dust, and there is no indication a concentrated source. carbonate minerals dust meteorites can sequester several bars atmospheric carbon dioxide may have been an important sink for thicker atmosphere past.
The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has spent more than 2 years exploring Meridiani Planum, traveling approximately 8 kilometers and detecting features that reveal ancient environmental conditions. These include well-developed festoon (trough) cross-lamination formed in flowing liquid water, strata with smaller abundant hematite-rich concretions those seen previously, possible relict "hopper crystals" might reflect the formation of halite, thick weathering rinds on rock surfaces,...
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....
[1] Phyllosilicates on Mars mapped by infrared spectroscopic techniques could have been affected dehydration and/or dehydroxylation associated with chemical weathering in hyperarid conditions, volcanism or shock heating meteor impact. The effects of heat-induced the spectra 14 phyllosilicates from four structural groups (kaolinite, smectite, sepiolite-palygorskite, and chlorite) two natural zeolites are reported here. Pressed powders size-separated phyllosilicate zeolite samples were heated...
The composition of asteroids and their connection to meteorites provide insight into geologic processes that occurred in the early Solar System. We present spectra Nightingale crater region on near-Earth asteroid Bennu with a distinct infrared absorption around 3.4 micrometers. Corresponding images boulders show centimeters-thick, roughly meter-long bright veins. interpret veins as being composed carbonates, similar those found aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. If are...
The Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) on Spirit has studied the mineralogy and thermophysical properties at Gusev crater. Undisturbed soil spectra show evidence for minor carbonates bound water. Rocks are olivinerich basalts with varying degrees of dust other coatings. Dark-toned soils observed disturbed surfaces may be derived from rocks have (±5 to 10%) 45% pyroxene (20% Ca-rich 25% pigeonite), 40% sodic intermediate plagioclase, 15% olivine (forsterite ±5 10). Two...
The soils at the Opportunity site are fine-grained basaltic sands mixed with dust and sulfate-rich outcrop debris. Hematite is concentrated in spherules eroded from strata. Ongoing saltation exhumes their fragments, concentrating them surface. Spherules emerge coated, perhaps subsurface cementation, by salts. Two types of vesicular clasts may represent sand sources. Eolian ripples, armored well-sorted hematite-rich grains, pervade Meridiani Planum. thickness soil on plain estimated to be...
The Aram Chaos crater on Mars contains gray, crystalline hematite within a stack of layered sediments. Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS‐TES) and Odyssey Imaging System (THEMIS) were used in conjunction with data from the MGS Orbital Laser Altimeter (MOLA) Camera (MOC) instruments to investigate nature deposits Chaos. Superposition relationships indicate that sediments deposited subsequent formation chaotic terrain. This observation, along possible detection sulfates...
Analysis of Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini‐TES) data has led to the recovery a pure end‐member spectral shape related light‐toned outcrop observed at Meridiani Planum. Data from MER Mössbauer spectrometer, APXS, and previous Mini‐TES measurements were used constrain library determine mineralogy this shape. Linear deconvolution suggests that it is composed primarily Al‐rich opaline silica, Mg‐, Ca‐, Fe‐bearing sulfates, plagioclase feldspar, nontronite, hematite. Conversion...
Research Article| March 01, 2008 HiRISE imaging of impact megabreccia and sub-meter aqueous strata in Holden Crater, Mars John A. Grant; Grant 1Center for Earth Planetary Studies, National Air Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, USA Search other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rossman P. Irwin, III; III Grotzinger; Grotzinger 2Division Geological Sciences, California Institute Technology, Pasadena, 91125, Ralph E. Milliken; Milliken Livio L. Tornabene;...
The Terra Sirenum region of Mars, located in the Noachian southern highlands, is mineralogically diverse, providing unique insight into ancient aqueous processes. Analyses remote sensing data over indicate presence both Fe‐ or Mg‐rich phyllosilicates and a spectrally deposit interpreted to be rich chloride salts. stratigraphic relationships that are part highland crust salts were deposited at later time. In some instances, there clear morphological evidence mobilized by near‐surface waters.
Sedimentary deposits within the 280 km wide crater containing Aram Chaos (∼3°N, 339°E) have been differentially eroded by wind to expose a stratigraphic column 900–1000 m thick that unconformably overlies chaos bedrock. A detailed and mineralogical description of is presented based on data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Compact Imaging Spectrometer for Mars, Context Imager, High Resolution Science Experiment. Two sedimentary units overlie basement material representing original plains fill...
Lunar swirls are high-albedo markings on the Moon that occur in both mare and highland terrains; their origin remains a point of contention. Here, we use data from Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Radiometer to support hypothesis formed as result deflection solar wind by local magnetic fields. Thermal infrared this instrument display an anomaly position silicate Christiansen Feature consistent with reduced space weathering. These also show swirl regions not thermophysically anomalous, which...
Abstract We present the results of a combined study shocked labradorite from Lonar crater, India, using optical microscopy, micro‐Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) high‐energy X‐ray total scattering experiments, and micro‐Fourier transform infrared (micro‐FTIR) spectroscopy. show that maskelynite shock class 2 is structurally more similar to fused glass than crystalline plagioclase. However, there are slight but significant differences—preservation original preimpact...