Article
Spectroscopy
Dina M. Bower, Clayton S. C. Yang, Tilak Hewagama, Conor A. Nixon, Shahid Aslam, Patrick L. Whelley, Jennifer L. Eigenbrode, Feng Jin, Jennifer Ruliffson, John R. Kolasinski, Alan C. Samuels
Summary: Raman spectroscopy and LIBS are complementary techniques for comprehensive characterization of geologic environments; the study aimed to distinguish different environmental regimes based on mineral and biomolecule identification in rocks and sediments; the combination of techniques successfully identified major mineral polytypes and a large diversity of biomolecules in ice-rock samples.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
Melissa McHugh, John Parnell, Ian B. Hutchinson, Hannah N. Lerman, Howell G. M. Edwards, Mark J. Burchell, Mike J. Cole, Andoni Moral, Guillermo Lopez-Reyes, Carlos Perez, Aurelio Arranz, Marco Veneranda, Jose Antonio Manrique, Fernando Rull
Summary: The research discusses the importance of using the ExoMars Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) to identify reduced carbon on Mars and analyze its impact on the habitability of the planet. Spectral data obtained confirm that the RLS instrument can accurately detect differently thermally processed carbon materials and demonstrate that impact shock can increase the molecular disorder of carbon, potentially making it more biologically accessible.
JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
A. Wargnier, T. Gautier, O. Poch, P. Beck, E. Quirico, A. Buch, T. Drant, Z. Perrin, A. Doressoundiram
Summary: The Martian Moon eXploration mission by JAXA aims to explore Phobos and Deimos and understand their origins. In this study, the detectability of organics on Phobos was investigated using laboratory spectral analogues. The results show that organic compounds can be detected on Phobos when their volume content exceeds 5%. These findings will be useful for interpreting the data collected by the MMX Infrared Spectrometer (MIRS) onboard the spacecraft.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Andrea Corpolongo, Ryan S. S. Jakubek, Aaron S. S. Burton, Adrian J. J. Brown, Anastasia Yanchilina, Andrew D. D. Czaja, Andrew Steele, Brittan V. V. Wogsland, Carina Lee, David Flannery, Desiree Baker, Edward A. A. Cloutis, Emily Cardarelli, Eva L. L. Scheller, Eve L. L. Berger, Francis M. M. McCubbin, Joseph Razzell Hollis, Keyron Hickman-Lewis, Kim Steadman, Kyle Uckert, Lauren DeFlores, Linda Kah, Luther W. W. Beegle, Marc Fries, Michelle Minitti, Nikole C. C. Haney, Pamela Conrad, Richard V. V. Morris, Rohit Bhartia, Ryan Roppel, Sandra Siljestroem, Sanford A. A. Asher, Sergei V. V. Bykov, Sunanda Sharma, Svetlana Shkolyar, Teresa Fornaro, William Abbey
Summary: The goals of NASA's Mars 2020 mission are to search for evidence of ancient life, study the geology of Jezero crater, understand Mars' climate, and prepare for human exploration. During the mission, the Perseverance rover's instrument collected images and data from different areas of the crater, revealing mineralogical differences and suggesting the presence of a past environment suitable for microbial life.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Nancy W. Hinman, Janice L. Bishop, Virginia C. Gulick, J. Michelle Kotler Dettmann, Paige Morkner, Genesis Berlanga, Ruth M. Henneberger, Peter Bergquist, Charles Doc Richardson, Malcolm R. Walter, Lindsay A. MacKenzie, Roberto P. Anitori, Jill R. Scott
Summary: The study used terrestrial thermal environments as analogs for subsurface environments, focusing on an acid-sulfate hydrothermal site as a potentially habitable environment on Mars. Analysis of organic matter in a weathered boulder and soil samples revealed the presence of diverse organic compounds, with differences in organic carbon content and signatures between jarosite-associated and Al-bearing silicate samples. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding the distribution of inorganic and organic materials in delineating habitats and highlights the challenges in detecting organic matter using various analytical techniques for future missions to Mars.
AMERICAN MINERALOGIST
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianxun Shen, Li Liu, Yan Chen, Yu Sun, Wei Lin
Summary: This study investigates the possibility of differentiating biotic and abiotic chemical signals using LIBS spectral data in Mars exploration missions. The research shows that, with a sufficient sample size, unsupervised PCA can partially distinguish biotic and abiotic signals based purely on LIBS spectral measurements. This finding is significant for biosignatures filtering in life exploration on Mars.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zhongchen Wu, Zongcheng Ling, Jiang Zhang, Xiaohui Fu, Changqing Liu, Yanqing Xin, Bo Li, Le Qiao
Summary: Laboratory simulation is essential for studying Martian environmental conditions and mineral features, linking the laboratory with Mars exploration. The Mars environment chamber (MEC) at Shandong University in China is equipped with multiple in situ spectral sensors to simulate and collect data on Martian environmental parameters. This platform provides a solid foundation for future analysis and interpretation of real Martian spectral data, contributing to China's Mars mission preparations.
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
V. Balaram, S. S. Sawant
Summary: In the past, mineral exploration studies required bringing field samples or drill cores to the laboratory for analysis, which was expensive and time-consuming. However, advancements in portable analytical instruments, such as spectrophotometers, gamma-ray spectrometers, and portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometers, have revolutionized this process and increased their usage in on-site mineral exploration studies.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
F. Da Pieve, G. Gronoff, J. Guo, C. J. Mertens, L. Neary, B. Gu, N. E. Koval, J. Kohanoff, A. C. Vandaele, F. Cleri
Summary: This study investigates the radiation environment induced by galactic and solar radiation at Oxia Planum and Mawrth Vallis on Mars, revealing similar conditions at different sites during solar minimum and maximum, with slightly enhanced gamma-ray contribution in water-rich regolith. The exposure estimates for different locations show reasonable to large safety margins for long stays and low risk for short stays, with the influence of ground composition on radiation levels highlighted.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
P. Ruiz-Galende, G. Fernandez, I Torre-Fdez, J. Aramendia, L. Gomez-Nubla, C. Garcia-Florentino, K. Castro, G. Arana, J. M. Madariaga
Summary: The landing site of the upcoming ExoMars 2022 mission is Oxia Planum, chosen for its potential to host organic remains in sedimentary rocks. The Armintza outcrop in Biscay, Spain, is proposed as an analogue to Oxia Planum due to its volcanic and sedimentary rock layers. Spectroscopic analysis of samples from Armintza revealed feldspars, phyllosilicates, and kerogen remains, supporting the ability of similar sedimentary-volcanic layers to preserve organic materials.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Mineralogy
Jacek Misiak
Summary: The earliest studies of the Moon involved observations from Earth and the examination of lunar material in meteorites. Advancements in technology allowed for remote sensing techniques and unmanned and manned flights to gather further data on the Moon's geological structure and mineral resources. The use of research satellites and sample collection during landings contributed to the understanding of the Moon's raw materials. The analysis revealed the presence of rare earth elements, Thorium, Uranium, Iron, Titanium, Aluminum, Silicon, and Helium-3 on the Moon.
GOSPODARKA SUROWCAMI MINERALNYMI-MINERAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kimberley R. Miner, Joseph Razzell Hollis, Charles E. Miller, Kyle Uckert, Thomas A. Douglas, Emily Cardarelli, Rachel Mackelprang
Summary: Permafrost is crucial for exobiology and climate change research. It serves as a model for extraplanetary exploration and can release significant amounts of greenhouse gases as it thaws due to climate change. Viable microbes in Earth's permafrost provide insights into extremotolerant organisms' survival strategies in extraplanetary analogs.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jiang Wang, Jiannan Zhao, Long Xiao, Shuai Peng, Liang Zhang, Zhixin Zhang, Antong Gao, He Qiao, Le Wang, Shiqi Zhang, Xiao Xiao, Yutong Shi, Siyuan Zhao, Jiawei Zhao, Yuqi Qian, Jun Zhang, Xubing Zhang, Jun Huang
Summary: In this study, using data from China's Zhurong rover and high-resolution remote sensing, the researchers investigated transverse aeolian ridges in the Zhurong landing region of Utopia Planitia on Mars. They proposed a two-stage evolutionary scenario for the ridges and identified polygonal features with hydrated minerals on their surface for the first time. The study discusses possible formation mechanisms for these features and suggests they may be linked to recent aqueous activity and atmosphere-surface water exchange on Mars, providing insights into the hydrological cycle of Mars in its current cold and dry climate.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wen-Ping Liu, Wei Yin, Bin-Long Ye, Tian-Lei Zhao, Qi-Zhi Yao, Yi-Liang Li, Sheng-Quan Fu, Gen-Tao Zhou
Summary: Mars's similarities to Earth make it a prime target for astrobiology, and serpentinized environments on Mars are of particular interest due to their potential for supporting life. The Mars 2020 rover is equipped with spectral instruments to study these environments and search for biosignatures. However, accurate identification of minerals through spectroscopy is crucial. This study builds a spectral database of serpentinization minerals on Earth and provides a framework for interpreting Martian spectroscopic data.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Samuel H. Royle, Jonathan Tan, Jonathan S. Watson, Mark A. Sephton
Summary: The interaction between Martian organic matter and iron oxides during thermal processing leads to transformation of organic molecules, resulting in reduced detectability, decreased molecular diversity, and increased aromatization.