Initial results from the Mini-TES experiment in Gusev crater from the Spirit rover

P. R. Christensen; S. W. Ruff; R.L. Fergason; A.T. Knudson; S. Anwar; R. E. Arvidson; J. L. Bandfield; D.L. Blaney; C. Budney; W. M. Calvin; T.D. Glotch; M.P. Golombek; N. Gorelick; T.G. Graff; V.E. Hamilton; A. Hayes; J. R. Johnson; H.Y. McSween; G.L. Mehall; L.K. Mehall; J.E. Moersch; R.V. Morris; A.D. Rogers; M. D. Smith; S. W. Squyres; M.J. Wolff; M.B. Wyatt

doi:10.1126/science.1100564

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Initial results from the Mini-TES experiment in Gusev crater from the Spirit rover

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Abstract

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 and bound water. Rocks are olivine-rich basalts with varying degrees of dust and other coatings. Dark-toned soils observed on disturbed surfaces may be derived from rocks and have derived mineralogy (??5 to 10%) of 45% pyroxene (20% Ca-rich pyroxene and 25% pigeonite), 40% sodic to intermediate plagioclase, and 15% olivine (forsterite 45% ??5 to 10). Two spectrally distinct coatings are observed on rocks, a possible indicator of the interaction of water, rock, and airfall dust. Diurnal temperature data indicate particle sizes from 40 to 80 ??m in hollows to ???0.5 to 3 mm in soils.

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P. R. Christensen, S. W. Ruff, R.L. Fergason, A.T. Knudson, S. Anwar, R. E. Arvidson, J. L. Bandfield, D.L. Blaney, C. Budney, W. M. Calvin, T.D. Glotch, M.P. Golombek, N. Gorelick, T.G. Graff, V.E. Hamilton, A. Hayes, J. R. Johnson, H.Y. McSween, G.L. Mehall, L.K. Mehall, J.E. Moersch, R.V. Morris, A.D. Rogers, M. D. Smith, S. W. Squyres, M.J. Wolff, M.B. Wyatt. 2004. Initial results from the Mini-TES experiment in Gusev crater from the Spirit rover. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1100564

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