Near-infrared spectra of ferrous mineral mixtures and methods for their identification in planetary surface spectra

• DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2014.02.031
• Publication Date: 2014-03-15T23:46:25Z
• Authors: Briony H.N. Horgan; Edward A. Cloutis; Paul Mann; James F. Bell
• Keywords: Pyroxene

Iron-bearing minerals are a major component of planetary surfaces, and many can be identified by their characteristic absorption bands in the near-infrared (NIR). Here we present laboratory NIR spectra wide range common Fe-bearing (e.g., olivines, pyroxenes), glasses, mineral/glass mixtures. We then use this suite to evaluate effects mixtures on mineral detection methods, including olivine pyroxene spectral indices developed for Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer Mars (CRISM) onboard Orbiter. find that although these compromised with atypical compositions, mixtures, presence other ferrous minerals, issues generally mitigated visual inspection spectra. However, special case occurs when or mixture question is spectrally indistinguishable from more mineral. In particular, show high-calcium mixed glass virtually compositions. This effect, combined fact much difficult detect than may causing occurrences surfaces underreported. support hypothesis, Express OMEGA observations previous detections north polar sand sea actually consistent local mixing pyroxene. To address issues, an alternative identification method based position shape 1 2 μm iron bands, which sensitive mineralogy, composition, surface spectra, glass. Using Chandrayaan-1 Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) Aristarchus Crater Moon, band parameters reveal subtle variations produce mineralogical maps at exceptional level detail.