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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Analysis of airborne imaging spectrometer data for the Ruby Mountains, Montana, by use of absorption-band-depth images

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer-1 (AIS-1) data were obtained for an area of amphibolite grade metamorphic rocks that have moderate rangeland vegetation cover. Although rock exposures are sparse and patchy at this site, soils are visible through the vegetation and typically comprise 20 to 30 percent of the surface area. Channel averaged low band depth images for diagnostic soil rock absorption bands. Sets of three such images were combined to produce color composite band depth images. This relative simple approach did not require extensive calibration efforts and was effective for discerning a number of spectrally distinctive rocks and soils, including soils having high talc concentrations. The results show that the high spectral and spatial resolution of AIS-1 and future sensors hold considerable promise for mapping mineral variations in soil, even in moderately vegetated areas.

Brickey, David W.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Impact of Mg concentration on energy-band-depth profile of Mg-doped InN epilayers analyzed by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The electronic structures of Mg-doped InN (Mg-InN) epilayers with the Mg concentration, [Mg], ranging from 1 × 10{sup 19} to 5 × 10{sup 19} cm{sup −3} were systematically investigated by soft and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The angle-resolved results on the core-level and valence band photoelectron spectra as a function of [Mg] revealed that the energy band of Mg-InN showed downward bending due to the n{sup +} surface electron accumulation and p type layers formed in the bulk. With an increase in [Mg], the energy-band changed from monotonic to two-step n{sup +}p homojunction structures. The oxygen concentration rapidly increased at the middle-bulk region (∼4.5 to ∼7.5 nm) from the surface, which was one of the reasons of the transformation of two-step energy band.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2012

Search for Olivine Spectral Signatures on the Surface of Vesta

The occurrence of olivines on Vesta were first postulated from traditional petrogenetic models which suggest the formation of olivine as lower crustal cumulates. An indirect confirmation is given by their presence as a minor component in some samples of diogenite meteorites, the harzburgitic diogenites and the dunitic diogenites, and as olivine mineral clasts in howardites. Another indication for this mineral was given by interpretations of groundbased and Hubble Space Telescope observations that suggested the presence of local olivine-bearing units on the surface of Vesta. The VIR instrument onboard the DAWN mission has been mapping Vesta since July 2011. VIR acquired hyperspectral images of Vesta s surface in the wavelength range from 0.25 to 5.1 m during Approach, Survey and High Altitude Mapping (HAMO) orbits that allowed a 2/3 of the entire asteroid surface to be mapped. The VIR operative spectral interval, resolution and coverage is suitable for the detection and mapping of any olivine rich regions that may occur on the Vesta surface. The abundance of olivine in diogenites is typically lower than 10% but some samples richer in olivine are known. However, we do not expect to have extensive exposures of olivine-rich material on Vesta. Moreover, the partial overlap of olivine and pyroxene spectral signatures will make olivine difficult to detect. Different spectral parameters have been used to map olivine on extraterrestrial bodies, and here we discuss the different approaches used, and develop new ones specifically for Vesta. Our new methods are based on combinations of the spectral parameters relative to the 1 and 2 micron bands (the most prominent spectral features of Vesta surface in the visible and the infrared), such as band center locations, band depths, band areas, band area ratios. Before the direct application to the VIR data, the efficiency of each approach is evaluated by means of analysis of laboratory spectra of HED meteorites, pyroxenes, olivines and their mixtures.

Palomba, E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Spectroscopic Characterization of Mineralogy Across Vesta: Evidence of Different Lithologies

The average spectrum of Vesta, obtained by VIR in the range 0.25-5.1 microns, shows clear evidence of absorption bands due to pyroxenes and thermal emissions beyond 3.5 11m. Vesta shows considerable variability across its surface in terms of spectral reflectance and emission, band depths, bands widths and bands centers, reflecting a complex geological history. Vesta's average spectrum and inferred mineralogy resemble those of howardite meteorites. On a regional scale, significant deviations are seen: the south polar 500km Rheasilvia impact crater has a higher diogenitic component, and equatorial regions show a higher eucritic component. This lithologic distribution, with a concentration of Mg-pyroxenes in the Rheasilvia area, reinforces the hypothesis of a deeper diogenitic crust excavated by the impact that formed the Rheasilvia crater, and an upper eucritic crust, whose remnants are seen in the equatorial region. This scenario has implications for Vesta differentiation, consistent with magma ocean models. However, serial magmatism models could also have concentrated pyroxene cumulates in plutons emplaced within the lower crust,

De Sanotis, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Characterization of Mineralogy Across Vesta

Dawn VIR spectra are characterized by pyroxene absorptions and no clear evidence for abundant other minerals are observed at the scale of the present measurements. Even though Vesta spectra are dominated by pyroxenes, spectral variation at regional and local scales are evident and distinct color units are identified. Although almost all of the surface materials exhibit spectra like those of howardites, some large units can be interpreted to be material richer in diogenite (based on pyroxenes band depths and band centers) and some others like eucrite-rich howardite units. VIR data strongly indicate that the south polar region (Rheasilvia) has its own spectral characteristics, indicating the presence of Mg-pyroxene-rich terrains (diogenite-like), while the equatorial areas have swallower band depths and average band centers at slightly longer wavelengths, consistent with more eucrite rich materials. Vesta surface shows considerable diversity at smaller scales (tens of km), in terms of spectral reflectance and emission, band depths and slopes. Many bright and dark spots are present on Vesta. Dark spots have low reflectance at visible wavelengths and are spectrally characterized by shallower 1 and 2 micron bands with respect the surrounding terrains. Bright materials have high reflectance and are often spectrally characterized by deep pyroxenes absorption bands. Vesta presents complex geology/topography and the mineral distribution is often correlated with geological and topographical structures. Ejecta from large craters have distinct spectral behaviors, and materials exposed in the craters show distinct spectra on floors and rims. VIR reveals the mineralogical variation of Vesta s crustal stratigraphy on local and global scales. Maps of spectral parameters show surface and subsurface unit compositions in their stratigraphic context. The hypothesis that Vesta is the HED parent body is consistent with, and strengthened by, the geologic and spectral context for pyroxene distribution provided by Dawn.

De Sanctis, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Chondrites, S asteroids, and space weathering: Thumping noises from the coffin?

Most of the spectral characteristics of ordinary chondrites and S-asteroids in the visible and infrared can be reduced to three numerical values. These values represent the depth of the absorption band resulting from octahedrally coordinated Fe(sup 2+), the reflectance at 0.56 microns and the slope of the continuum (as measured according to convention). By plotting these three characteristics, it is possible to immediately compare the spectral characteristics of large numbers of ordinary chondrites and S-asteroids. Commonality of spectral characteristics between these populations can thus be evaluated on the basis of overlap in position on three two-coordinate systems: albedo vs. band depth, band depth vs. slope, and slope vs. albedo. In order to establish identity, members of the two populations must overlap on all three of these independent parameter spaces. In this coordinate system, spectra of 23 ordinary chondrites (representing all metamorphic grades), and 39 S-asteroids were compared. It was found that there was no overlap between the two populations in terms of the slope vs. band depth parameters, nor were most chondrites identical to the S-asteroids with respect to the other criteria. However, the controversial question remains: Where are the parent bodies of the chondrites? Perhaps an even more critical question is: Where are our samples of the S-asteroids? Considering the geography of the asteroid belt and the theory that early solar-system electromagnetic induction heating differentiated protoasteroids in the inner portion of the main belt, it was suggested that although S-asteroids and ordinary chondrites have very similar mineralogy, the S-asteroids are mixtures of metallic nickel iron and silicates which resulted from magmatism induced by electromagnetic heating whereas chondrites were only slightly metamorphosed nebular condensates. In this scenario chondrites would have been derived from a population of bodies with thermal lag times so short that they were not subjected to melting during the phase of the electromagnetic induction heating event but only to various degrees of pervasive metamorphism. Furthermore, these objects would then have been too small to be observed and systematically included in the library of asteroidal spectra. It was also suggested that the parametric distribution of S-asteroid spectra could be reproduced by mixing various proportions of NiFe meteorite and achondritic materials. This has also been demonstrated in the laboratory.

Fanale, F. P.↗
DOE OSTI2015

PHASE ANGLE EFFECTS ON 3 μm ABSORPTION BAND ON CERES: IMPLICATIONS FOR DAWN MISSION

Phase angle-induced spectral effects are important to characterize since they affect spectral band parameters such as band depth and band center, and therefore skew mineralogical interpretations of planetary bodies via reflectance spectroscopy. Dwarf planet (1) Ceres is the next target of NASA’s Dawn mission, which is expected to arrive in 2015 March. The visible and near-infrared mapping spectrometer (VIR) on board Dawn has the spatial and spectral range to characterize the surface between 0.25–5.0 μm. Ceres has an absorption feature at 3.0 μm due to hydroxyl- and/or water-bearing minerals. We analyzed phase angle-induced spectral effects on the 3 μm absorption band on Ceres using spectra measured with the long-wavelength cross-dispersed (LXD: 1.9–4.2 μm) mode of the SpeX spectrograph/imager at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. Ceres LXD spectra were measured at different phase angles ranging from 0.°7 to 22°. We found that the band center slightly increases from 3.06 μm at lower phase angles (0.°7 and 6°) to 3.07 μm at higher phase angles (11° and 22°), the band depth decreases by ∼20% from lower phase angles to higher phase angles, and the band area decreases by ∼25% from lower phase angles to higher phase angles. Our results will have implications for constraining the abundance of OH on the surface of Ceres from VIR spectral data, which will be acquired by Dawn starting spring 2015.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1995

Low-temperature and low atmospheric pressure infrared reflectance spectroscopy of Mars soil analog materials

Infrared reflectance spectra of carefully selected Mars soil analog materials have been measured under low atmospheric pressures and temperatures. Chemically altered montmorillonites containing ferrihydrite and hydrated ferric sulfate complexes are examined, as well as synthetic ferrihydrate and a palagonitic soil from Haleakala, Maui. Reflectance spectra of these analog materials exhibit subtle visible to near-infrared features, which are indicative of nanophase ferric oxides or oxyhydroxides and are similar to features observed in the spectra of the bright regions of Mars. Infrared reflectance spectra of these analogs include hydration features due to structural OH, bound H2O and adsorbed H2O. The spectal character of these hydration features is highly dependent on the sample environment and on the nature of the H2O/OH in the analogs. The behavior of the hydration features near 1.9 micrometers, 2.2 micrometers, 2.7 micrometers, 3 micrometers, and 6 micrometers are reported here in spetra measured under Marslike atmospheric environment. In spectra of these analogs measured under dry Earth atmospheric conditions the 1.9-micrometer band depth is 8-17%; this band is much stonger under moist conditions. Under Marslike atmospheric conditions the 1.9-micrometer feature is broad and barely discernible (1-3% band depth) in spectra of the ferrihydrite and palagonitic soil samples. In comparable spectra of the ferric sulfate-bearing montmorillonite the 1.9-micrometer feature is also broad, but stronger (6% band depth). In the low atmospheric pressure and temperature spectra of the ferrihydrite-bearing montmorillonite this feature is sharper than the other analogs and relatively stronger (6% band depth). Although the intensity of the 3- micrometer band is weaker in spectra of each of the analogs when measured under Marslike conditions, the 3-micromter band remains a dominant feature and is especially broad in spectra of the ferrihydrite and palagonitic soil. The structural OH features observed in these materials at 2.2-2.3 micrometers and 2.27 micrometers remain largely unaffected by the environmental conditions. A shift in the Christiansen feature towards shorter wavelengths has also been observed with decreasing atmospheric pressure and temperature in the midinfrared spectra of these samples.

Bishop, Janice L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Low-temperature and low atmospheric pressure infrared reflectance spectroscopy of Mars soil analog materials

Infrared reflectance spectra of carefully selected Mars soil analog materials have been measured under low atmospheric pressures and temperatures. Chemically altered montmorillonites containing ferrihydrite and hydrated ferric sulfate complexes are examined, as well as synthetic ferrihydrite and a palagonitic soil from Haleakala, Maui. Reflectance spectra of these analog materials exhibit subtle visible to near-infrared features, which are indicative of nanophase ferric oxides or oxyhydroxides and are similar to features observed in the spectra of the bright regions of Mars. Infrared reflectance spectra of these analogs include hydration features due to structural OH, bound H2O, and adsorbed H2O. The spectral character of these hydration features is highly dependent on the sample environment and on the nature of the H2O/OH in the analogs. The behavior of the hydration features near 1.9 micron, 2.2 micron, 2.7 micron, 3 micron, and 6 microns are reported here in spectra measured under a Marslike atmospheric environment. In spectra of these analogs measured under dry Earth atmospheric conditions the 1.9-micron band depth is 8-17%; this band is much stronger under moist conditions. Under Marslike atmospheric conditions the 1.9-micron feature is broad and barely discernible (1-3% band depth) in spectra of the ferrihydrite and palagonitic soil samples. In comparable spectra of the ferric sulfate-bearing montmorillonite the 1.9-micron feature is also broad, but stronger (6% band depth). In the low atmospheric pressure and temperature spectra of the ferrihydrite-bearing montmorillonite this feature is sharper than the other analogs and relatively stronger (6% band depth). Although the intensity of the 3-micron band is weaker in spectra of each of the analogs when measured under Marslike conditions, the 3-micron band remains a dominant feature and is especially broad in spectra of the ferrihydrite and palagonitic soil. The structural OH features observed in these materials at 2.2-2.3 micron and 2.75 microns remain largely unaffected by the environmental conditions. A shift in the Christiansen feature towards shorter wavelengths has also been observed with decreasing atmospheric pressure and temperature in the midinfrared spectra of these samples.

Bishop, Janice L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spectral properties of ice-particulate mixtures and implications for remote sensing. I - Intimate mixtures

From laboratory spectra of many ice-particulate mixtures with high, medium, and low albedo particulates, the band depths, continuum reflectance, and ratio of band depth to continuum reflectance are derived as a function of the logarithm of thef particulate weight fraction in the sample. Ice band depths are dependent on the particulate albedo, and increase with smaller weight fractions of particulates until the bands saturate and their depths decrease. While the continuum reflectance is a complex function of the particulate albedo and wavelength of light, the band depth-to-continuum reflectance ratios appear independent of particulate albedo in such a fashion that, for a given grain size of particulate, a calibration curve to the abundance of ice and particulates is derived. Theoretically produced frost spectra show similar curves of growth for band depth, continuum reflectance, and corresponding ratio vs the photon mean optical path length.

Clark, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Phyllosilicate Decomposition on Bennu Due to Prolonged Surface Exposure

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission to carbonaceous asteroid (101955) Bennu performed detailed mapping with a suite of instruments to characterize the composition and geology of its surface. Here we use data from the OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer (OTES) instrument to investigate the relationship of OTES-derived spectral indices to other derived data products from OTES, the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS), and the OSIRIS-REx Visible and InfraRed Spectrometer (OVIRS) at global and local scales. We quantitatively confirm that high values of the OTES silicate stretching slope (from ∼10 to ∼12 μm) in midday spectra that are indicative of thin and/or patchy dust cover are strongly associated with low thermal inertia (high porosity), low albedo boulders on Bennu. These high porosity boulders have brecciated textures with embedded clasts that likely originated on Bennu's parent body or during its disruption. The high porosity of these boulders is a key factor in the local production of the dust or its entrapment, as some large, brecciated boulders with a lower porosity have little evidence of dust. A second OTES spectral parameter, the silicate bending band depth near 22.7 μm applied to early evening spectra, is not correlated to thermal inertia, but is weakly to strongly correlated to albedo, OVIRS-derived 1.05 μm and 2.74 μm band depths, OVIRS-derived hydrogen abundance, and modeled nanophase troilite abundance. In several regions on Bennu there is a strong spatial relationship between these parameters, whereby areas with shallower silicate bending bands also have shallower 1.05 μm and 2.74 μm bands and lower albedo with higher nanophase troilite abundances. These correlations, combined with analysis of the silicate bending band in laboratory experiments of space weathered and mildly heated carbonaceous chondrites, suggests that decreased silicate bending band depths signify decomposition of phyllosilicates, likely Fe-bearing, due to space weathering or mild heating (<600 °C) via solar radiation during Bennu's time in near-Earth space. There is a strong association of larger silicate bending band depths in areas dominated by small rocks and unresolved material and in areas with small (≤ 25 m) craters identified as the spectrally reddest on Bennu, suggesting that this material has been more recently exposed due to impact and/or mass wasting processes. The shallowest silicate bending depths are associated with larger rocks and boulders that appear to have the longest surface exposure history, although there is band depth variation among them suggesting either initial composition variation that resulted in different responses to space weathering or heating, or varied exposure history of individual boulders themselves. We predict that any grains returned from Bennu with a significant surface exposure history will be characterized by shallower 22.7 μm, 1.05 μm and 2.7 μm band depths and increased sulfide (troilite) abundance, as well as textural and chemical evidence for phyllosilicate dehydration.

Asteroids, surfaces↗
DOE OSTI2017

The O{sub 2} A-Band in the Fluxes and Polarization of Starlight Reflected by Earth-Like Exoplanets

Earth-like, potentially habitable exoplanets are prime targets in the search for extraterrestrial life. Information about their atmospheres and surfaces can be derived by analyzing the light of the parent star reflected by the planet. We investigate the influence of the surface albedo A {sub s}, the optical thickness b {sub cloud}, the altitude of water clouds, and the mixing ratio of biosignature O{sub 2} on the strength of the O{sub 2} A-band (around 760 nm) in the flux and polarization spectra of starlight reflected by Earth-like exoplanets. Our computations for horizontally homogeneous planets show that small mixing ratios ( η < 0.4) will yield moderately deep bands in flux and moderate-to-small band strengths in polarization, and that clouds will usually decrease the band depth in flux and the band strength in polarization. However, cloud influence will be strongly dependent on properties such as optical thickness, top altitude, particle phase, coverage fraction, and horizontal distribution. Depending on the surface albedo and cloud properties, different O{sub 2} mixing ratios η can give similar absorption-band depths in flux and band strengths in polarization, especially if the clouds have moderate-to-high optical thicknesses. Measuring both the flux and the polarization is essential to reduce the degeneracies, although it will not solve them, especially not for horizontally inhomogeneous planets. Observations at a wide range of phase angles and with a high temporal resolution could help to derive cloud properties and, once those are known, the mixing ratio of O{sub 2} or any other absorbing gas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1990

Metal silicate mixtures - Spectral properties and applications to asteroid taxonomy

The reflectance spectra of combinations of olivine, orthopyroxene, and iron meteorite metal are experimentally studied, and the obtained variations in spectral properties are used to constrain the physical and chemical properties of the assemblages. The presence of metal most noticeably affects band area ratios, peak-to-peak and peak-to-minimum reflectance ratios, and band widths. Band width and band areas are useful for determining metal abundance in olivine and metal and orthopyroxene and metal assemblages, respectively. Mafic silicate grain size variations are best determined using band depth criteria. Band centers are most useful for determining mafic silicate composition. An application of these parameters to the S-class asteroid Flora is presented.

Cloutis, Edward A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Lunar regolith analogues - Spectral reflectance properties of compositional variations

The effect is analyzed of variations in glass, end member abundance, and compositional variations on the reflectance spectra of glass and mafic silicate-bearing mineral mixtures chosen to reproduce spectral reflectance properties of lunar regoliths. The spectral properties of the glasses appear to be sensitive to parameters such as fusion techniques and initial composition. Variations in these parameters can yield classes which show spectral variations far in excess of those found for naturally occurring lunar impact-derived glasses and surface fines. The addition of glass to a mafic silicate-bearing assemblage results in a reduction in overall reflectance, band depths, and band area ratios, as well as a general decrease in band II minimum wavelength position and an increase in interband peak position.

Cloutis, Edward A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

10 micron spectroscopy of younger stars in the rho Ophiuchi cloud

Spectra in the 10 micrometer region were obtained of 14 young stars associated with the central core of the rho Oph dark cloud complex. Silicate dust emission and absorption features can be fairly well reproduced with simple models using the emissivity of the silicates in the Orion Trapezium region, believed to be typical of molecular cloud dust. A spectrum of the Trapezium star theta(sup 1) Ori D was obtained to define the emissivity more precisely. The emissivity of silicate dust around the late-type giant Mu Cep does not improve the fits to the absorption features and provides a poorer match to the emission features. None of the sources display a strong 11.2 micrometer peak like that seen in comet Halley and attributed to crystalline olivine. A broad weak feature near 11.2 micrometer, possibly related to the comet feature, may be present in the emission spectrum of the Herbig Ae star HD 150193. Absorption features toward two of the objects are narrower than would be expected from Trapezium-like silicates, suggesting differences in the composition of the silicates. The relation between the silicate extinction band depth and H2O ice band depths is determined for the deeply embedded objects. One late-type object, Elias 14, clearly shows the 11.25 micrometer aromatic hydrocarbon emission feature, possibly excited by the nearby B star, HD 147889, though the latter does not exhibit the feature.

Hanner, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Vesta and the HED Meteorites: Comparison of Spectral Properties

We present the main results obtained comparing the visible-near infrared (VIS-NIR) spectra Vesta s surface with howardites, eucrites, diogenites (HEDs). HEDs are commonly associated with Vesta based on spectral similarities. Because of such association, much effort is being made to merge the information from HEDs as well as Vestoids with that from Vesta to characterize the lithologic diversity of the surface of this asteroid and to infer clues regarding its thermal history. The Dawn spacecraft, orbiting around Vesta since July 2011, is performing detailed observations of this body and thus improving our knowledge of its properties. Dawn s scientific payload includes an imaging spectrometer, VIR-MS, sensitive to the VIS-NIR spectral range. VIR-MS began acquiring spectra during the approach phase that started in May 2011 and will continue its observations through July 2012 when the spacecraft will depart Vesta to travel to Ceres. The observations are uniformly distributed in latitude and longitude, allowing a global view of Vesta s crustal spectral properties. Using the information provided by VIR spectra, we studied the distribution of the spectral heterogeneities on the surface and used our findings to perform a comparison with HED spectra in the VIS-NIR spectral range searching for analogies and/or incompatibilities. In our analysis, we utilized a method to compare the results obtained at microscopic scale on HED samples and the one obtained at macroscopic scale on the surface of Vesta. The intent of this study is to improve our understanding of the connection between Vesta and the HEDs, which is one of the primary Dawn scientific objectives. Dawn VIR spectra are characterized by pyroxene absorptions and most of the surface materials exhibit howardite-like spectra. However, some large areas can be interpreted to be material richer in diogenite (based on pyroxenes band depths and band centers) and some others like eucrite-rich howardite terrains. In particular, VIR data strongly indicate in the south polar region (Rheasilvia) the presence of Mg-pyroxene-rich terrains. The hypothesis that Vesta is the HED parent body is consistent with, and strengthened by, the geologic and spectral context for pyroxene distribution provided by VIR on Dawn.

Ammannito, E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

AVIRIS study of Death Valley evaporite deposits using least-squares band-fitting methods

Minerals found in playa evaporite deposits reflect the chemically diverse origins of ground waters in arid regions. Recently, it was discovered that many playa minerals exhibit diagnostic visible and near-infrared (0.4-2.5 micron) absorption bands that provide a remote sensing basis for observing important compositional details of desert ground water systems. The study of such systems is relevant to understanding solute acquisition, transport, and fractionation processes that are active in the subsurface. Observations of playa evaporites may also be useful for monitoring the hydrologic response of desert basins to changing climatic conditions on regional and global scales. Ongoing work using Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data to map evaporite minerals in the Death Valley salt pan is described. The AVIRIS data point to differences in inflow water chemistry in different parts of the Death Valley playa system and have led to the discovery of at least two new North American mineral occurrences. Seven segments of AVIRIS data were acquired over Death Valley on 31 July 1990, and were calibrated to reflectance by using the spectrum of a uniform area of alluvium near the salt pan. The calibrated data were subsequently analyzed by using least-squares spectral band-fitting methods, first described by Clark and others. In the band-fitting procedure, AVIRIS spectra are fit compared over selected wavelength intervals to a series of library reference spectra. Output images showing the degree of fit, band depth, and fit times the band depth are generated for each reference spectrum. The reference spectra used in the study included laboratory data for 35 pure evaporite spectra extracted from the AVIRIS image cube. Additional details of the band-fitting technique are provided by Clark and others elsewhere in this volume.

Crowley, J. K.↗
DOE OSTI2015

THE Ch-CLASS ASTEROIDS: CONNECTING A VISIBLE TAXONOMIC CLASS TO A 3 μm BAND SHAPE

Asteroids belonging to the Ch spectral taxonomic class are defined by the presence of an absorption near 0.7 μm, which is interpreted as due to Fe-bearing phyllosilicates. Phyllosilicates also cause strong absorptions in the 3 μm region, as do other hydrated and hydroxylated minerals and H{sub 2}O ice. Over the past decade, spectral observations have revealed different 3 μm band shapes in the asteroid population. Although a formal taxonomy is yet to be fully established, the “Pallas-type” spectral group is most consistent with the presence of phyllosilicates. If Ch class and Pallas type are both indicative of phyllosilicates, then all Ch-class asteroids should also be Pallas-type. In order to test this hypothesis, we obtained 42 observations of 36 Ch-class asteroids in the 2 to 4 μm spectral region. We found that 88% of the spectra have 3 μm band shapes most consistent with the Pallas-type group. This is the first asteroid class for which such a strong correlation has been found. Because the Ch class is defined by the presence of an absorption near 0.7 μm, this demonstrates that the 0.7 μm band serves not only as a proxy for the presence of a band in the 3 μm region, but specifically for the presence of Pallas-type bands. There is some evidence for a correlation between band depth at 2.95 μm and absolute magnitude and/or albedo. However, we find only weak correlations between 2.95 μm band depth and semimajor axis. The connection between band depths in the 0.7 and 3 μm regions is complex and in need of further investigation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗