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Sanna Alwmark

Sanna Alwmark

Associate senior lecturer

Sanna Alwmark

Identifying Shocked Feldspar on Mars Using Perseverance Spectroscopic Instruments : Implications for Geochronology Studies on Returned Samples

Author

  • S. Shkolyar
  • S. J. Jaret
  • B. A. Cohen
  • J. R. Johnson
  • O. Beyssac
  • J. M. Madariaga
  • R. C. Wiens
  • A. Ollila
  • S. Holm-Alwmark
  • Y. Liu

Summary, in English

The Perseverance rover (Mars 2020) mission, the first step in NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, will select samples for caching based on their potential to improve understanding Mars’ astrobiological, geological, geochemical, and climatic evolution. Geochronologic analyses will be among the key measurements planned for returned samples. Assessing a sample’s shock history will be critical because shock metamorphism could influence apparent sample age. Shock effects in one Mars-relevant mineral class, plagioclase feldspar, have been well-documented using various spectroscopy techniques (thermal infrared reflectance, emission, and transmission spectroscopy, Raman, and luminescence). A subset of these data will be obtained with the SuperCam and SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals) instruments onboard Perseverance to inform caching decisions for MSR. Here, we review shock indicators in plagioclase feldspar as revealed in Raman, luminescence, and IR spectroscopy lab data, with an emphasis on Raman spectroscopy. We consider how this information may inform caching decisions for selecting optimal samples for geochronology measurements. We then identify challenges and make recommendations for both in situ measurements performed with SuperCam and SHERLOC and for supporting lab studies to enhance the success of geochronologic analyses after return to Earth.

Department/s

  • Lithosphere and Biosphere Science

Publishing year

2022-10

Language

English

Publication/Series

Earth, Moon and Planets

Volume

126

Issue

2

Document type

Journal article review

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Geology
  • Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology

Keywords

  • Mars sample return
  • Perseverance rover
  • Spectroscopy

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0167-9295