Exploring for natural gas using reflectance spectra of surface soils

Reflectance spectra in the visible and near-infrared wavelengths provide a rapid and inexpensive means for determining the mineralogy of samples and obtaining information on chemical composition. Hydrocarbon microseepage theory establishes a cause-and-effect relation between oil and gas reservoirs and some special surface anomalies, which mainly include surface hydrocarbon microseepage and related alterations. Therefore, we can explore for oil, gas by determining reflectance spectra of surface anomalies. This idea has been applied to the R&D project of exploring for natural gas in Qinghai province of China using NASA EO-1 satellite with the Hyperion sensor (June 2005 to June 2006). In this project, in order to improve the accuracy of exploration targets of natural gas mapped in the field studied, an integrated practical system of exploration of oil and gas was built by the analysis of not only hyperspectral remote sensing data but also data provided from field work. In this paper, our efforts were focused on the analysis of the 799 reflectance spectra provided from the field work. In order to properly define the typical form of hydrocarbon microseepage with spectroscopy and fulfill the data analysis, it was necessary to build a spectral model. In this spectral model the most important features of hydrocarbon microseepage in the surface of our study area, i.e., diagnostic spectral macroscopic features and diagnostic spectral absorption features, were proposed and extracted, respectively. The distribution of coexisting anomalies, which results from both alteration minerals and hydrocarbons, is estimated by the diagnostic macroscopic features mainly using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classifier. On the other hand, the diagnostic absorption features of two main absorption bands presented abundant local information, based on deep analysis of which, we are able to map the anomalies of alteration minerals and hydrocarbons, respectively. Additionally, a general framework of analysis and key classification algorithms applied to the Hyperion data have been introduced briefly. In our work, three exploration targets of natural gas were identified from the study area which covers 2100 km². In the three exploration targets, three wildcats have been drilled by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) since July 2006, and all the three wells have been proven some industrial reserves.     

Thin film surface treatments for lowering dust adhesion on Mars Rover calibration targets

The current generation of calibration targets on Mars Rover serve as a color and radiometric reference for the panoramic camera. They consist of a transparent silicon-based polymer tinted with either color or grey-scale pigments and cast with a microscopically rough Lambertian surface for a diffuse reflectance pattern. This material has successfully withstood the harsh conditions existent on Mars. However, the inherent roughness of the Lambertian surface (relative to the particle size of the Martian airborne dust) and the tackiness of the polymer in the calibration targets has led to a serious dust accumulation problem. In this work, non-invasive thin film technology was successfully implemented in the design of future generation calibration targets leading to significant reduction of dust adhesion and capture. The new design consists of a μm-thick interfacial layer capped with a nm-thick optically transparent layer of pure metal. The combination of these two additional layers is effective in burying the relatively rough Lambertian surface while maintaining diffuse properties of the samples which is central to the correct operation as calibration targets. A set of these targets are scheduled for flight on the Mars Phoenix mission.     

利用CRISM数据探测火星表面含水矿物及其演化

火星表层矿物识别是了解火星大气环境变化、表层地质环境的关键因素。通过确定火星表层矿物,分析矿物特性,了解火星的环境状态、地质演化以及火星的未来适居性。火星勘测轨道器(Mars reconnaissance orbiter,MRO)上搭载的紧凑型侦察成像仪(compact reconnaissance imaging spectrometer for Mars,CRISM)是针对火星矿物探测的最新的高光谱成像仪,以很高的光谱分辨率覆盖可见光至近红外波段,为火星表面的矿物分布及区域填图提供了可能。通过光谱匹配及计算CRISM光谱参数综合产品,分析了火星Jezero以及Holden撞击坑内的矿物成分及其演化。Jezero与Holden因其复杂而关键的地质特征,被列为火星2020登陆任务的备选登陆点。对这两个地点的矿物探测与填图分析不仅可进一步分析火星典型地质特征以及演化,而且还可以为未来的火星登陆点分析提供现实意义。在研究区域已检测到与水成蚀变相关的含水硅酸盐类以及碳酸盐类与含水硫酸盐类。水合矿物增加了这些区域曾经含水的可能性,且矿物的多样性表明研究区地质环境经历了不同的变化,其中Jezero地区不同于火星的绝大多数地区从中性环境到酸性环境的演化,有可能经历了从中性环境到碱性环境的演化。     

火星尘埃与探测

火星表面尘埃与太阳辐射、热辐射的相互作用直接影响火星大气的结构、热平衡和动力学过程,并会产生改变火星表面反照率和火星地貌的长期效应.火星尘埃环境还对登陆于火星表面的着陆器能源系统和光学载荷等系统构成影响.为此需开展火星大气尘埃的直接就位探测.在介绍了火星的尘埃特性与主要探测方法基础上,提出了采用微质量计技术开展火星表面尘埃就位探测的综合探测器方案.探测器包含3种传感器.尘埃累积传感器通过设置其敏感晶体表面朝上,可以探测火星表面尘埃的沉积质量与速率;荷电尘埃传感器通过加置不同极性的偏置电压,可以探测荷正电尘埃和荷负电尘埃的累积特性;磁尘传感器通过在敏感晶体后加设小型永久磁铁,可以探测磁性尘埃的累积特性.传感器感测质量范围为10^-11~10^-4g.火星尘埃综合探测器可应用于未来的火星着陆探测计划.     

Magnetic properties experiments on future missions to Mars

The soil on Mars is known to contain a ferrimagnetic mineral, the unequivocal identification of which mineral will contribute to understanding the origin of the Martian soil. Mössbauer spectroscopy of magnetically separated dust can give essential information on the iron mineralogy and magnetic properties of the dust. The Mars Surveyor missions in 2001 and 2003 will carry a Mössbauer spectrometer and several permanent magnets, which together should be able to achieve these goals.     

火星尘埃对太阳电池阵的影响与电帘除尘研究

火星表面大量尘埃在太阳电池阵表面的累积将会导致其输出功率下降,甚至使太阳电池阵功能失效。近年来,电帘除尘方法被认为是在火星着陆任务中进行尘埃防护最有效的手段之一。本文开展了火星尘埃累积对三结砷化镓太阳电池性能影响的实验研究,得到了火星尘埃累积量与太阳电池电压、电流和相对输出功率数值模型;通过除尘技术分析,确定电帘除尘装置构型;依据制备得到的除尘电帘,对不同火星尘埃累积下电帘的除尘效率进行了研究,为火星着陆太阳电池阵遥测数据分析和开发自适应除尘太阳电池阵提供有力的技术支持。     

小行星与陨石的光谱联系

Bus-DeMeo光谱分类系统中有24种小行星光谱类型以及约27种陨石矿物学类型。小行星和陨石之间的光谱联系在质量和可靠性上差异很大原因主要是某些矿物学中缺乏诊断特征和空间风化作用。将回顾从可见光和近红外光谱中远程获取的小行星矿物学信息,讨论如何从地质学家的角度理解小行星的光谱辨识。     

Report of the COSPAR mars special regions colloquium

In this paper we present the findings of a COSPAR Mars Special Regions Colloquium held in Rome in 2007. We review and discuss the definition of Mars Special Regions, the physical parameters used to define Mars Special Regions, and physical features on Mars that can be interpreted as Mars Special Regions. We conclude that any region experiencing temperatures > −25 °C for a few hours a year and a water activity > 0.5 can potentially allow the replication of terrestrial microorganisms. Physical features on Mars that can be interpreted as meeting these conditions constitute a Mars Special Region. Based on current knowledge of the martian environment and the conservative nature of planetary protection, the following features constitute Mars Special regions: Gullies and bright streaks associated with them, pasted-on terrain, deep subsurface, dark streaks only on a case-by-case basis, others to be determined. The parameter definition and the associated list of physical features should be re-evaluated on a regular basis.     

Balloon-borne far-infrared spectrophotometry of the galactic center region

Far-infrared observations of the Galactic Center have been carried through with the MPE Im balloon-borne telescope “Golden Dragon”. The measurements are composed of photometric scanning (33–95 μm) of the inner 4′×4′ and low resolution spectroscopy (δ^ν = 10 cm^?1) of the center and of a position approximately 1.5′ to the north. A Mars spectrum has been obtained for calibration. The spatial resolution of the photometry map is increased using the Maximum Entropy Method and the resulting map is compared to other observations in the same and other spectral regions. A clear asymmetry in the ring-like structure around the center indicates the presence of noncircular motions. The shape of the spectra is fairly smooth with at least no prominent dust features. A simple modelling shows a drastic increase of column density within 2 pc from the center and a modest drop over the next 3 pc to the north.     

火星表面风沙物理过程及沙尘暴的起动风速

通过建立风吹动地表沙粒运动的模型并根据大气湍流边界层风速廓线规律,计算了火星上沙尘暴的起动风速和沙尘暴发生时空中悬浮沙尘粒径的大小,并对沙粒从地面跳起进入气流的方式进行了验证.发现当大气为中性层结时,火星沙尘暴的起动需要离地面2m高处的风速达到28.7m·s-1.在起动临界风速下,地表沙粒需要滚动一个粒径的距离才能跳起,沙尘暴发生后,火星大气中悬浮沙尘的粒径小于30μm.      

太阳电池电路深空探测服役环境与关键技术分析

针对月球、火星、木星等不同的深空探测任务,本文通过在轨服役环境分析,说明了火星探测火星表面光谱计算方法、火星光谱太阳电池设计思路、火星表面除尘技术路线及木星探测低温低光强技术风险。结合工程技术经验,给出了特殊任务应用条件下单片太阳电池推算整板输出功率的计算方法,解决了我国尚无特殊条件的瞬态大太阳模拟器作为整板输出功率测试地面模拟光源的工程难题,为相关科研人员提供参考。     

Dust ring/torus around Mars,waiting for detection by NOZOMI

Two small satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, can be dust sources around Mars. Orbits of circummartian dust particles are controlled by solar radiation pressure as well as Martian oblateness. Their orbital eccentricity and inclination can be enhanced greatly by the orbital resonance. Particles from Phobos would form a thin dust ring where dust radius is dominant in 20–200μm. On the other hand, particles from Deimos would form an extended dust torus. Collisions of ring particles on Phobos and Deimos may be the most important dust source. The upper limit of dust production from this self-sustaining mechanism can be estimated from the erosion rate of Phobos. Japanese Mars mission NOZOMI (PLANET-B) could discover dust ring/torus through direct detection by MDC (Mars Dust Counter).     

火星信道衰落特性对通信链路预算的影响

对火星星体段的信道衰落特性进行研究.通过对近火段自然环境因素的分析,提取影响火星通信性能的因素,重点分析火星的大气、云雾、沙尘对通信信道的衰落作用机理;并以NASA实际火星探测任务为例,针对以上衰落因素对UHF,S,X和Ka频段下的通信链路影响情况进行仿真;结合实际探测数据对地球通信链路预算模型进行修正,提出一种适用于火星通信链路预算的模型;明确火星大气衰落、云雾衰落、沙尘衰落的取值范围.研究结果可作为火星及其他深空探测任务的通信系统设计与链路复核复算的参考.      

The use of mineral crystals as bio-markers in the search for life on Mars.

Photographs that depict presumed fluvial features on the martian surface have led geologists to hypothesize that water flowed across the early martian terrain. From this, it has been further hypothesized that the surface and atmospheric conditions on early Mars were similar to those on early Earth. Because the oldest fossil evidence of life on Earth dates back to this early period, at least 3.5 billion years ago, the possibility exists that the early Martian environment could have also been conducive to the origin of life. To investigate this possibility, universal signatures or bio-markers indicative of past (or present) biological activity must be identified for use in the search for life on Mars. Several potentially applicable biomarkers have been identified and include: organics (e.g., specific classes of lipids and hopanes), suites of specific inorganic and organic compounds, as well as the isotopic ratios of C, N, and S. Unfortunately, all of these bio-markers may be of biologic or abiotic origin; these origins are often difficult to distinguish. Thus, the discovery of any one of these compounds alone is not a bio-marker. Because minerals produced under biologic control have distinctive crystallographies, morphologies, and isotopic ratios that distinguishable from abiotically produced minerals with the same chemical composition, and are stable through geologic time, we propose the use of minerals resulting from biologically controlled mineralization processes as bio-markers.     

The optical constants of gypsum particles as analog of Martian sulfates

Various indications seem to suggest that in the past the Martian climate allowed the presence of liquid water on the surface of the planet. It is therefore reasonable to think that bodies of standing water were once present in basins such as craters or depressions and that evaporite deposits of sulfates could have formed in these basins. The identification of such deposits, which might have survived in some regions of the planet, could confirm the present hypothesis about the ancient climate on Mars. Recent analyses of Mars spectra, obtained by ground-based observations, show bands consistent with sulfate features. If such data have to be interpreted with the aid of synthetic spectra, the knowledge of the complex refractive index of some sulfate is necessary. In this work we present the optical constants of submicron particles of gypsum (a typical hydrate–sulfate very common on Earth), derived by means of the dispersion theory from transmission spectra. We have performed the calculation of the optical constants in the wavelength range 2–70 μm, also in view of the wide spectral range covered by the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) on board of the ESA space mission Mars Express. The data have been compared with optical constants obtained by other authors from reflectance measurements of particulate samples.     

Mars ultraviolet imaging spectrometer experiment on the PLANET-B mission

An ultraviolet imaging spectrometer (UVS) has been developed for the PLANET-B spacecraft. The UVS instrument is composed of a grating spectrometer (UVS-G) and a D/H absorption cell photometer (UVS-P). The UVS-G is a flat-field type spectrometer measuring optical emissions in the FUV and MUV range between 115 nm and 310 nm with a spectral resolution of 2 – 3 nm. The UVS-P is a photometer detecting hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D) Lyman α emissions separately by an absorption cell technique. Scientific targets of the UVS experiment are the investigation of (1) hydrogen and oxygen coronas around Mars, (2) the D/H ratio in the upper atmosphere, (3) dayglow, (4) aurora and nightglow, (5) dust, clouds and ozone, and (6) the surface composition of Phobos and Deimos.     

Did life exist on Mars? Search for organic and inorganic signatures, one of the goals for “SAM” (sample analysis at Mars)

Observation of Mars shows signs of a past Earth-like climate, and, in that case, there is no objection to the possible development of life, in the underground or at the surface, as in the terrestrial primitive biosphere. Sample analysis at Mars (SAM) is an experiment which may be proposed for atmospheric, ground and underground in situ measurements. One of its goals is to bring direct or indirect information on the possibility for life to have developed on Mars, and to detect traces of past or present biological activity. With this aim, it focuses on the detection of organic molecules: volatile organics are extracted from the sample by simple heating, whereas refractory molecules are made analyzable (i.e. volatile), using derivatization technique or fragmentation by pyrolysis. Gaseous mixtures thus obtained are analyzed by gas chromatography associated to mass spectrometry. Beyond organics, carbonates and other salts are associated to the dense and moist atmosphere necessary to the development of life, and might have formed and accumulated in some places on Mars. They represent another target for SAM. Heating of the samples allows the analysis of structural gases of these minerals (CO₂ from carbonates, etc.), enabling to identify them. We also show, in this paper, that it may be possible to discriminate between abiotic minerals, and minerals (shells, etc.) created by living organisms.     

Development of a micro-balance system for dust and water vapour detection in the Mars atmosphere

Quartz crystal piezoelectric sensors are suitable for deposition analyses that need very high sensitivity. Due to the wide working ranges and high performances, micro-balances can measure the mass settling in average Mars conditions during a period of months before saturation is reached. This ensures a proper use for short and long term water and dust deposition monitoring. Micro-balances have been studied, calibrated and used for the GIADA (grain impact analyser and dust accumulator) experiment for the ESA-Rosetta space mission. Experience on micro-balance performance study by dust deposition has been acquired and water vapour deposition studies are in progress in a Martian atmosphere simulation chamber. Preliminary results show that micro-balances are capable to detect up to partial pressure values corresponding to parts per billion of the typical Martian atmosphere.     

Annual solar UV exposure and biological effective dose rates on the Martian surface.

The ultraviolet (UV) environment of Mars has been investigated to gain an understanding of the variation of exposure throughout a Martian year, and link this flux to biological effects and possible survival of organisms at the Martian surface. To gain an idea of how the solar UV radiation varies between different regions, including planned landing sites of two future Mars surface missions, we modelled the total solar UV surface flux throughout one Martian year for two different dust scenarios. To understand the degree of solar UV stress on micro-organisms and/or molecules essential for life on the surface of Mars, we also calculated the biologically effective dose (BED) for T7 and Uracil in relevant wavelength regions at the Martian surface as a function of season and latitude, and discuss the biological survival rates in the presence of Martian solar UV radiation. High T7/Uracil BED ratios indicate that even at high latitudes where the UV flux is significantly reduced, the radiation environment is still hostile for life due to the persisting UV-C component of the flux.     

Automatic detection of typical dust devils from Mars landscape images

This paper presents an improved algorithm for automatic detection of Martian dust devils that successfully extracts tiny bright dust devils and obscured large dust devils from two subtracted landscape images. These dust devils are frequently observed using visible cameras onboard landers or rovers. Nevertheless, previous research on automated detection of dust devils has not focused on these common types of dust devils, but on dust devils that appear on images to be irregularly bright and large. In this study, we detect these common dust devils automatically using two kinds of parameter sets for thresholding when binarizing subtracted images. We automatically extract dust devils from 266 images taken by the Spirit rover to evaluate our algorithm. Taking dust devils detected by visual inspection to be ground truth, the precision, recall and F-measure values are 0.77, 0.86, and 0.81, respectively.