EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Michalski et al. 2003
Michalski, J.R., Kraft, M.D., Diedrich, T., Sharp, T.G. and Christensen, P.R. (2003). Thermal emission spectroscopy of the silica polymorphs and considerations for remote sensing of Mars. Geophysical Research Letters 30: doi: 10.1029/2003GL018354. issn: 0094-8276.

The possible existence of silica-rich rocks on Mars requires consideration of all of the candidate forms of silica that might exist there. We synthesized coesite and cristobalite, and obtained natural samples of tridymite, opal-A, and opal-CT. The thermal emission spectra of these silica phases were analyzed and related to their crystal structure and crystallinity. Structural differences between the polymorphs result in unique spectral character and the degree and type of crystal ordering in opal-CT results in cristobalite- or tridymite-like spectral features. These spectra will be useful for analysis of Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) data from Mars. While silica polymorphs are not modeled in deconvolution of the two main TES surface-type spectra, this does not preclude the possible detection of local abundances of these minerals on Mars. Spectral detection of silica phases on Mars would have implications for the volcanic and alteration history of the planet.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Mineral Physics, Optical, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy, Planetary Sciences, Remote sensing, Planetology, Solar System Objects, Mars, Volcanology, Planetary volcanism
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit