Abstract
Abstract
In situ elemental imaging of planetary surface regolith at a spatial resolution of 100s to 1000s of microns can provide evidence of the provenance of rocks or sediments and their habitability, and can identify post-depositional diagenetic alteration affecting preservation. We use high-resolution elemental maps and XRF spectra from MapX, a flight prototype in situ X-ray imaging instrument, to demonstrate this technology in rock types relevant to astrobiology. Examples are given for various petrologies and depositional/diagenetic environments, including ultramafic/mafic rocks, serpentinites, hydrothermal carbonates, evaporites, stromatolitic cherts and diagenetic concretions.
Funder
Planetary Science Division
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Reference92 articles.
1. Blake, DF , Sarrazin, P and Bristow, T (2015) ‘Mapping X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (Map-X).’ LPSC 46, The Woodlands, TX, March 16-20, 2015. Abstr. #2274. Available at https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2015/pdf/2274.pdf
2. Microorganisms from the Gunflint Chert
3. Mineralogy of Juventae Chasma: Sulfates in the light-toned mounds, mafic minerals in the bedrock, and hydrated silica and hydroxylated ferric sulfate on the plateau
4. Aqueously altered igneous rocks sampled on the floor of Jezero crater, Mars