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The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) imaging spectrometer for lunar science: Instrument description, calibration, on-orbit measurements, science data calibration and on-orbit validation
Geier, S.; Clark, R.; Besse, S. +51 more
The NASA Discovery Moon Mineralogy Mapper imaging spectrometer was selected to pursue a wide range of science objectives requiring measurement of composition at fine spatial scales over the full lunar surface. To pursue these objectives, a broad spectral range imaging spectrometer with high uniformity and high signal-to-noise ratio capable of meas…
Columbus crater and other possible groundwater-fed paleolakes of Terra Sirenum, Mars
Clark, R. N.; Wray, J. J.; Milliken, R. E. +11 more
Columbus crater in the Terra Sirenum region of the Martian southern highlands contains light-toned layered deposits with interbedded sulfate and phyllosilicate minerals, a rare occurrence on Mars. Here we investigate in detail the morphology, thermophysical properties, mineralogy, and stratigraphy of these deposits; explore their regional context;…
High heat flow from Enceladus' south polar region measured using 10-600 cm-1 Cassini/CIRS data
Spencer, J. R.; Howett, C. J. A.; Pearl, J. +1 more
Analysis of 2008 Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) 10 to 600 cm-1 thermal emission spectra of Encleadus shows that for reasonable assumptions about the spatial distribution of the emission and the thermophysical properties of the solar-heated background surface, which are supported by CIRS observations of background tempera…
Measuring moonlight: An overview of the spatial properties, lunar coverage, selenolocation, and related Level 1B products of the Moon Mineralogy Mapper
Besse, S.; Isaacson, P.; Pieters, C. M. +7 more
The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), a high-resolution, high-precision imaging spectrometer, flew on board India's Chandrayaan-1 Mission from October 2008 through August 2009. This paper describes some of the spatial sampling aspects of the instrument, the planned mission, and the mission as flown. We also outline the content and context of…
Lunar mare deposits associated with the Orientale impact basin: New insights into mineralogy, history, mode of emplacement, and relation to Orientale Basin evolution from Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) data from Chandrayaan-1
Head, James W.; Mustard, John; Clark, Roger +6 more
Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) image and spectral reflectance data are combined to analyze mare basalt units in and adjacent to the Orientale multiring impact basin. Models are assessed for the relationships between basin formation and mare basalt emplacement. Mare basalt emplacement on the western nearside limb began prior to the Oriental…
Orbital observations of contemporary dune activity in Endeavor crater, Meridiani Planum, Mars
Chojnacki, Matthew; Moersch, Jeffrey E.; Michaels, Timothy I. +1 more
Although aeolian landforms are pervasive on Mars, evidence for contemporary activity has been limited. The next major campaign for the Mars Exploration Rover “Opportunity” is the investigation of the ∼20 km diameter Endeavor crater, ∼6 km to southeast of the rover's position as of December 2010. We present evidence from orbital imagery that eight …
Dayside ionosphere of Mars: Empirical model based on data from the MARSIS instrument
Gurnett, D. A.; Němec, F.; Morgan, D. D. +2 more
We present results of a systematic study of electron densities in the dayside Martian ionosphere measured by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) instrument on board the Mars Express spacecraft. There are two distinct regions controlled by different physical mechanisms. The first region is located at altitudes up…
Winter and spring evolution of northern seasonal deposits on Mars from OMEGA on Mars Express
Bibring, J. -P.; Gondet, B.; Langevin, Y. +6 more
The OMEGA visible/near-infrared imaging spectrometer on Mars Express has observed the retreat of the northern seasonal deposits during Martian year 27-28 from the period of maximum extension, close to the northern winter solstice, to the end of the retreat at Ls 95°. We present the temporal and spatial distributions of both CO2
Geophysical implications of the long-wavelength topography of the Saturnian satellites
Nimmo, F.; Thomas, P. C.; Bills, B. G.
We use limb profiles to quantify the long-wavelength topography of the Saturnian satellites. The degree 2 shapes of Mimas, Enceladus, and Tethys are not consistent with hydrostatic equilibrium. We derive 2-D topographic maps out to spherical harmonic degree 8. There is a good correlation with topography derived from stereo techniques. If uncompens…
The mineralogy of late stage lunar volcanism as observed by the Moon Mineralogy Mapper on Chandrayaan-1
Head, J. W.; Besse, S.; Boardman, J. +11 more
The last major phases of lunar volcanism produced spectrally unique high-titanium basalts on the western nearside of the Moon. The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) on Chandrayaan-1 has provided detailed measurements of these basalts at spatial and spectral resolutions necessary for mineralogical interpretation and mapping of distinct composi…