Mara Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) CRISM Data Analysis for Mars Surface Composition

Nirmala Jain Space Applications Centre, (ISRO), Ahmedabad 1.0 Introduction Like Earth Mars has a record of all minerals such as silicates form by magmatic processes and aqueous minerals form by alteration of parent material in the presence of watery environment. Aqueous minerals on Mars will help in search of signs of water and life on Mars. Therefore the study of minerals helps to detect and explore the past environments of Mars. In spectroscopic study, infrared reflectance spectra obtained from orbiter data may play important role to help in this task. The study of minerals like hydrous sulfates, phyllosilicates, carbonates, hydrous silica (opal), environmental conditions. On Mars the processes of formation of hydrous sulphates (Jarosite) are varied. They include: Oxidation of sulphide ore (pyrite) deposits (William H. Farrand et al., 2009 and D. V. Chitale et al., 1987). Acid fumaroles (N. S. Siddaiah et al., 2009). Magmatic hydrothermal environments (M. S. Gilmore et al., 2008). Jarosite also formed by the chemical weathering of basalts (E. A. Cloutis et al., 2006). Different types of clay minerals result from different types of wet conditions. The processes of phyllosilicates formation are hydrothermalism, which brings the spectroscopic analyses, closer to the Martian

subsurface/groundwater weathering, surface alteration etc (N. J. Tosca, 2011). Carbonate minerals also gives the idea about the alkaline environment of Mars. Hydrous silica (opal) is the product of precipitated material forms generally from the chemical weathering of basaltic lava flows, volcanic ash and impact glass. Oxides such as limonite and hematite are other important hydrous minerals which can contribute the information related to alteration processes. Silicates

such as quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine can give the information about magmatic processes of Mars. Study of Polar Ice region is also important in order to understand formation processes of CO2 ice, water ice with respect to Martian atmosphere. Therefore to study these minerals on the surface of Mars offer proof of the presence of water at times in the Martian past and will help in the study of Red Planet's environmental history. Several interpretation of mineral-mapping, on the Red Planet examined by European and NASAs orbiters, suggests the presence of water on Mars in its past. An instruments called a spectrometer on the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter are helping in detection of clays, hydrous sulfates and other minerals which formed by aqueous alteration processes on Mars. The compositions and distributions of minerals on the surface of mars highlight processes that have occurred during Martian past. It is hope that this study will help in determining the history of Mars with the help of future Indian Mars Mission. 2.0 General Observations of minerals on Mars Previous studies confirm that Martian surface is mainly made by igneous and sedimentary rocks. Igneous compositions can provide information such as crustal formation, and magma differentiation. Knowledge of these compositions of different minerals can provide other characteristic features like bulk composition and source materials for the Martian soil and dust. Other sedimentary compositions such as evaporates, clays can provide confirmation of past liquid water environments on or near the surface. These materials may provide an idea of the Martian weathering process. Hydrothermal alteration can also produce mineral signatures that indicate a past water-rich environment. Metamorphic compositions can be used to study the

deformational mechanisms have occurred in the Martian past. The purpose of this study is to provide distributions of Martian surface materials. 3.0 Imaging Spectrometry In electromagnetic spectrum, VNIR is one of the most useful wavelength ranges for mapping the surface mineralogy, because these wavelengths are important for the interactions between the electromagnetic radiations and the rock material as a reflected radiation, produce by the physical and chemical characteristics of the materials. Absorption features that occur in reflectance spectra are a sensitive indicator of mineralogy and chemical composition for a wide variety of materials. The investigation of the mineralogy and chemical composition of surfaces give information about the origin and evolution of planetary bodies for e.g. jarosite (hydrous sulfate), clays (phyllosilicates- hydrous silicates), carbonates are the important minerals showing the environmental condition in which they are forming. To identify these minerals on the surface of Mars, Spectroscopic study plays the major role. Mineralogy and chemistry are also important for determining the petrogenesis e.g. Iron content crucial for the degree of body differentiation. Some important absorption features of Minerals which observed on Mars: 0.4 0.5 um : Large transition due to TiO2 0.65 um 0.8-0.9 um 0.9 um 0.93 um 0.95 um 1.0 um : Fe3+ transition in Iron oxides & Hydroxides : Centre of Fe3+ transition in Iron oxides : Centre of Fe2+ on Orthopyroxenes : Centre of Fe2+ band in Low Ca : Centre of Fe2+ band in mid Ca : Centre of Fe2+ band in high Ca

1.6 um 1.9 um

: Sulfate band : Second pyroxenes band

2.1 to 2.6 um : Hydrated minerals. 4.0. Key Science Questions for Mars Exploration Scientists understand that, the first billion years of Martian geologic history is of particular interest because it is the period during which the planet was most active, after that a less dynamic period happened that extends to the present day. The early activity left an interesting geological record, of mineralogy, geomorphology. In considering this time period, large number of questions came. Throughout the planet's first billion years, planetary processesincluded differentiation, volcanism, large impacts, erosion, and sedimentation- modified the atmosphere and crust. How did these processes operate? The early environment was characterized by abundant liquid water, which is one of the most important necessary conditions for the origin of life. Where and when did the most habitable environments occur? Our understanding of Mars is critical to understand how the planet was formed which we are seeing today?

5.0 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Launch: August. 12, 2005; Arrival: March. 10, 2006.

5.1 Objectives of NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter are: 1) Characterize the present climate of Mars and how the climate changes from season-to-season and year-to-year, 2) Characterize Mars global atmosphere and monitor its weather, 3) Investigate complex terrain on Mars and identify water related landforms, 4) Search for sites showing stratigraphic or compositional evidence of water or hydrothermal activity, 5) investigate beneath the surface for evidence of subsurface layering, water and ice, and profile the internal structure of the polar ice caps, Identify and characterize sites with the highest potential for future missions that will land on surface of Mars, including possible missions to collect samples for returning to Earth, 6) send scientific information to Earth from Mars surface missions. 5.2 Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) It is the high resolution hyperspectral imager on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft. The objective of this sensor is to characterize the mineralogy of Mars at high spatial and spectral resolution. The measurement of seasonal variations of the atmosphere is another important objective of this imager. It has both multispectral and hyperspectral data sets. The multispectral survey is useful to search evidence of aqueous activity. Hyperspectral data of CRISM is investigating evidence of aqueous and/or hydrothermal activity, mineralogy, geology,

and stratigraphy of surface deposits. These investigations are important for the study of sedimentary deposits, volcanic regions, exposed crustal sections in steep escarpments, and regions which show signs of evidence of minerals formed by aqueous alteration of parent rocks and minerals. 5.3 Characteristics of Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) Spectral Resolution- 0.362-1.053 um (VNIR), 1.002-3.920 (IR), 6.55 nm Spatial Resolution- 15.7 m - 19.7 m, 35 m, Swath- 9.4-11.9 km

5.4 CRISM observing mode (by CRISM data product Software Interface Specification Version 1.3.7) 1) Experiment Data Record (EDR) consisting of raw, uncalibrated CRISM spectra. 2) Derived Data Record (DDR) contains latitude, longitude, photometric angles, and other information for each image pixel in the TRDRs. Lat/lon support map projection, and photometric angles and ancillary information support correction for illumination and atmospheric effects. 3) Limb Data Record (LDR) containing pointing and other ancillary information for observations pointed at Mars limb. 4) Targeted Reduced Data Record (TRDR), which is a radiometrically calibrated EDR. 5 and 6) two types of Calibration Data Records (CDRs), which are files used to generate radiance or radiance/solar irradiance (I/F) values in a TRDR from an EDR. 7) Ancillary Data Records (ADRs), which are files used to correct I/F values for atmospheric, photometric, or thermal effects, and which document the data set.

8) Map-Projected Multispectral Reduced Data Record (MRDR): Multispectral Reduced Data Records contain multispectral survey data calibrated, mosaicked, and map projected. 9) Map-Projected Targeted Reduced Data Record (MTRDR).

Table: CRISM Observing Modes (Source: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter CRISM Data Product Software Interface Specification Version 1.3.7)

6.0 CAT Tool Software for analysis of CRISM data sets The CRISM Analysis Tool (CAT) has been developed for the analysis of CRISM data. The CAT is based on the ENVI software package which requires IDL to run. Both CAT Tool and the spectral library are available at the PDS Geosciences Node web site, pdsgeoscience.wustl.edu, along with tutorial information to operate the CAT. The CAT has the ability to read EDR, TRDR, DDR, MRDR, and CDR, and MTRDR. The CAT has the ability to apply current CDRs for correction of atmospheric and photometric effects. It also has the ability to apply all of the extensive analysis capabilities already built into ENVI, including classification (e.g. spectral angle mapping), mixture modeling, principal components analysis, and techniques that use the spectral library as input. The Science Team has also developed a spectral library of well-characterized Mars analog materials, measured under dry N2-purged conditions over CRISM's wavelength range and convolved with the CRISM's slit function. 7.0. Methodology/Processing of CRISM data The CRISM Analysis Toolkit (CAT) is a series of custom IDL procedures packaged as a plug-in to ENVI To download and install the CAT, go to http://pds-

geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/mro/crism.htm Collection of hyperspectral data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter-CRISM from PDS geosciences node. Start IDL/ENVI, with CRISM Analysis Toolkit (CAT) installed Processing of CRISM data by using CRISM Analysis Tool (CAT). PDS to CAT conversion of CRISM images Photometric correction [COS (i)].

 Volcano Scan atmospheric correction (IR): Division by scaled volcano observation CIRRUS (CRISM Clean): Destripe (VNIR and IR), Despike (IR). Projection of CRISM data Summary parameter calculation. Spectral extraction (pixel basis or Create ROIs based on linked information sources) Spectral ratios

Spectra Analyst to compare/ identify spectra Spectral Analyst technique tools will be used for spectroscopic study such as Spectral Feature Fitting (SFF) for Spectral matching with standard reference (spectral library). Example of analysis of CRISM hyperspectral Image: I. PDS to CAT conversion of CRISM images [ENVI- CAT- Convert Format: PDS to CAT] Select image- FRT0000451C_07_IF165L_TRR3_CAT Select R= Band 233 (2.5295) G=Band 78 (1.5066) B = Band 13 (1.0800) Entre output name

Reverses Spectral Dimension Applies Default Bad Bands

II. Photometric correction [COS (i)] [ENVI_CAT_ATP Corrections_Select File_Photometric Correction: Division by cos (i)]

III. Volcano Scan atmospheric correction (IR): Division by scaled volcano observation [ENVI_CAT_ATP Corrections_Select File_ Division by scaled volcano observation]

Select cat converted image Entre output name Select DDR file for searching geometry of file Applying photometric correction dialog will come Applying atmospheric correction dialog will come

IV. CIRRUS (CRISM Clean): Destripe (VNIR and IR), Despike (IR) [ENVI_CAT_ Data Filtering_CIRRUS_Clean Spectral Cube]

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Select CAT corrected image Select Destripe and Despike for IR data Enter output file name

V. Projection of CRISM data [ENVI_CAT_Map Utilities_Project Single Cube Data] Select CRISM Image Entre output name Select CRISM image related DDR File

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VI. Summary parameter calculation [ENVI_CAT_Spectral Analysis Utilities Spectral Summary Products- IR data] Select CRISM Geo referenced image Take the spectra of pixel of interests X 370 Y 560 and spectra of Flat Pixel 156 733 form CRISM image Take the ratio of both pixels Select the Spectral Summary Parameter =BD2210, G=D2300, B=BDCARB Search the mineral according to their wavelength

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Pixel of Intrest (Red) Spectral of Flat Pixel (White)

Spectral Math Result (Ratio Spectra)

VII. Spectral extraction (pixel basis or Create ROIs based on linked information sources) Example: Spectral extraction on pixel basis Spectral ratios : Ratio between spectra of pixel of interest and spectra of flat pixel ENVI has a spectral matching tool that provides a score with respect to spectra from standard spectral library. Spectral Analyst technique tools: Spectral Feature Fitting (SFF) for Spectral matching with standard reference (spectral library). The Spectral Analyst uses several methods to produce a score between 0 to 1 with 1 equaling a perfect match.

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Steps for Spectral Analyst: From EVNI the main menu Select Spectral - Spectral Analyst. Select open-Spectral Library Select the CRISM Spectral Library-Click Open The Edit Identify Methods Weighting dialog appears. Click Ok. Open the unknown spectra which you want to compare with CRISM spectral Library Match the Spectra Edit the spectra

In present example the unknown spectra from Mars is matched with ILLITE LAIL01 of CRISM spectral library.

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Result of spectral library comparison

Continuum Removed Spectra: Ratio Spectra (blue) is matched with Illite LAIL01 (white) of CRISM spectral library. Importance of Illite (Clay mineral) on Mars Illite is a clay mineral and important member of phyllosilicates (sheet silicates) with the formula K11.5 Al4 [Si76.5 Al11.5 O20] (OH)4. Its crystals form tiny flakes and on Earth it formed by the weathering decomposition or hydrothermal alteration of muscovite or feldspar. It can gives direct information of its formation processes on planet Mars. 8.0 References D. V. Chitale and Guven, 1987, Natroalunite in a laterite profile over Deccan Trap basalt at Matanumadh Kutch India, Clays and Clay Minerals,Vol. 35, No. 3, 196-202. E. A. Cloutis, Frank C. Hawthorne, Stanley, Mertzman, Katherine Krenn , Michael, Craig, Dionne Marcino, Michelle Methot, Johnathon Strong, John F. Mustard, Diana L. Blaney, James F. Bell III, Faith Vilas, 2006, Detection and discrimination of sulphate minerals using reflectance spectroscopy, Icarus 184, 121157.

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http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/mro/crism.htm. M. S. Gilmore , Matthew D. Merrill, James P. Greenwood, Benjamin Bornstein, Rebecca Castao, 2008, Generation and performance of automated jarosite mineral detectors for visible/near-infrared spectroradiometers at Mars, Icarus 195 pp.169183.

N. S. Siddaiah and Kishor Kumar, 2009, Discovery of minamiite from the Deccan Volcanic Province, India: implications for Martian surface exploration, Current Science, Vol. 97, pp.1664 - 1669.

N. J. Tosca, and J.A. Hurowitz, 2011, Neoformation, diagenesis and the clay cycle on early Mars, 42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

W. H. Farrand Timothy D. Glotch James W. Rice Jr. Joel A. Hurowitz Gregg A. Swayze, 2009, Discovery of jarosite within the Mawrth Vallis region of Mars: Implications for the geologic history of the region, Icarus 204, pp.478 488.

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