Geological Society of America

T258 Planetary Exploration and Education: How We Learn about Our Solar System and Beyond

Wednesday, 12 October 2022
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
501

THE SUPERCAM INSTRUMENT SUITE AND EARLY DISCOVERIES IN JEZERO CRATER, MARS

Paper number: T258-15
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM

Authors

Patrick Gasda Presenting Author
Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, NM
Elise Clave
University Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Roger Wiens
Purdue University, Lafayette, IN
Sylvestre Maurice
Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Toulouse
Sam Clegg
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Adrian Brown
Plancius Research, SEVERNA PARK, MD
Juan Manuel Madariaga
University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Bizkaia
Baptiste Chide
Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, NM
Ann Ollila
Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, NM
Ryan Anderson
USGS, Flagstaff, AZ

Abstract

The SuperCam instrument suite onboard the NASA Perseverance rover obtains chemical, mineralogical, imagery, and acoustic data from the surface of Mars. SuperCam combines Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for chemical analysis, Raman and passive 0.4-2.6 µm reflectance visible to infrared (VISIR) spectroscopies to analyze the mineralogy and the local environment, time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy for trace element analysis, a context remote micro imager (RMI), and a microphone to record both the sound of laser shots (e.g., for rock hardness) and for atmospheric turbulence studies. A preliminary LIBS quantification model has been developed which derives absolute major-element oxide information from LIBS spectra using multivariate techniques. Work is in progress to develop quantification models for minor elements from LIBS and to provide modal mineralogy from reflectance spectra.

Jezero crater, situated between Syrtis Major and Isidis Basin, contains the eroded remnants of a delta, a western inflow channel, and an eastern outflow channel. Hence, Jezero contained a crater lake in its ancient past. Orbital remote sensing measurements have detected the presence of olivine, pyroxene—consistent with the larger Syrtis region—and carbonates and phyllosilicates within the crater. Perseverance was sent to Jezero to understand the geology of this ancient crater and delta, search for biosignatures, and collect representative samples for Mars Sample Return.

Early results from SuperCam using long distance RMI images confirmed that the formation within the crater is a delta. Olivine was identified by all three SuperCam spectral techniques in the lowest unit in the crater, and these deposits are interpreted as a mafic igneous cumulate. Observations of potential salts, coatings, carbonate, and other evidence of alteration were also detected by all three techniques within these mafic units. Acoustic data supports characterization of possible rock coatings and highlighted the turbulence of the atmosphere for the first time.

The rover has completed its crater floor campaign after collecting 8 samples. Over the next year, the rover will explore from the base of the delta to the crater rim and SuperCam will be integral in this campaign to understand the aqueous history of Mars.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 54, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-382278

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