SPECTROMETRY, MINERALS, AND MARS: DEVELOPMENT OF A MINERALOGY LAB

Transmission spectrometry identifies minerals because they create unique absorption or emission peaks in light of visible and ultraviolet wavelengths (given range in nm). Similarly, satellite-mounted spectrometers measure unique lines in the reflected spectra from Mars and Earth to identify and map spatial distribution of minerals. The goal of this project is to develop a lab exercise that demonstrates the conceptual link between laboratory investigation of transmission spectra and a case study of mineral identification by remote sensing. Using the StellarNet EPP2000 spectrometer, geology students will analyze and measure the transmission spectra from 5 mm thick slices of minerals such as fluorite, calcite, quartz, and celestite as they allow transmission of UV and visible light ranges. Due to the difficulty in achieving reflected spectra using a UV/Visual spectrometer, transmission spectrometry had to be used. After data collection, students will evaluate a case study in relation to the spectra of the minerals by examining remotely sensed data from Mars processed using ArcGIS. This is intended for understanding reflected spectrometry of a planetary body. Students compare the pre-processed ArcGIS map and its geologic context by examining the elevations and locations of olivine deposits. The significance is that olivine is broken down by chemical weathering in the presence of water quite easily. Thus, the presence of olivine directly relates to the history of water on Mars.