Infrared reflectance spectra of Martian analogues

Abstract

Reflectance spectroscopy in the infrared is a powerful tool to characterise the optical properties of analogue materials for Mars. In this work we present laboratory studies of four Martian analogues: calcite, montmordlonite, palagonite and andesite. Diffuse and specular reflectance and transmittance spectra in the IR are shown. The spectral effect produced by small grains clung to the larger ones is analysed for calcite. Significant variations in the diffuse reflectance spectrum, especially in the reststrahlen region, are observed. The diffuse reflectance spectra of the other materials show the shift of the reststrahlen features with Si content in the materials. Optical constants of andesite are retrieved, by using the Lorentz model, from the specular reflectance spectrum. These values are fundamental in performing modelling of the radiance coming from the planet Mars.