Recent Work
Thermal Inertia Using CRISM Data
The thermal inertia of Martian surfaces is typically modeled using data from thermal emission spectrometers. CRISM, a visible and near-infrared spectrometer, has improved spectral resolution compared to the highest-resolution thermal instrument, THEMIS. Using a neural network method (see below), temperatures can be extracted from the mixed emission/reflectance wavelength region. I used these temperature maps and the KRC thermal model to model thermal inertia of the daytime surface in Nili Fossae. This represents the highest resolution thermal inertia data set for Mars to date.
Related Work: LPSC 2020*
Mars in Augmented and Virtual Reality: JMARS AR Viewer
JMARS is a free GIS desktop application for planetary data developed at Arizona State University. In a collaboration between the JMARS team and ASU’s Meteor Studio, we are building mixed reality experiences to bring JMARS data out into the world. Our first project, JMARS AR Viewer, is available now for free download to your smartphone or tablet.
Vallis Marneris with MOLA colorized elevation, show projected on a smartphone using JMARS AR Viewer.
JMARS AR Viewer on the Apple App Store
JMARS AR Viewer on the Google Play store
ASU Now press release about JMARS AR Viewer
Related Work: LPSC 2020*
Mars in Augmented and Virtual Reality: Planetary Visor
Our first collaborative project with Meteor Studio joined Curiosity image data with orbiting satellite data from CRISM for an integrated experience. Our goal is to create tools that allow seamless navigation of Curiosity’s traverse while providing intuitive tools for the simultaneous analysis of orbital and rover-based data.
Related Works: LPSC 2019, LPSC 2020*
*Abstract accepted, conference cancelled
Past Projects: Graduate Research
Hydrated Sulfates in Gale Crater
Mt. Sharp as seen by Curiosity’s Mastcam on Sol 1913 (NASA/JPL/MSSS)
The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover landed in Gale Crater in 2012 with the intent of studying its 5 kilometer high interior mound, Mt. Sharp. Hydrated minerals have been detected in numerous locations on the mound, and the relationships between orbital mapping and rover observations have provided many puzzles to unravel. In a few years time Curiosity will ascend into a hydrated sulfate bearing unit on Mt. Sharp. For the last chapter of my dissertation I focused on mapping the geology and mineralogy of areas near Curiosity’s expected traverse.
Related works: LPSC 2019, Ninth Mars
Determining the Thermal Component of CRISM Spectra Using Neural Networks
The wavelength region that the CRISM instrument is sensitive to spans reflected sunlight (0.4-2.6 microns) and mixed reflection and thermal emission from Mars (2.6-3.8 microns). This longer wavelength region is rarely used, because without detailed knowledge of surface temperature, the thermal emission component is poorly constrained. As part of our use of Hapke modeling to retrieve single scattering albedo, we used a neural network to determine the contributions of SSA and emission at a given temperature. The neural network was trained on a library of Mars analog spectra chosen to span the range of minerals known to be on Mars. This method retrieves thermally corrected CRISM spectra from 0.4-3.8 microns as well as high resolution temperature maps.
Related works: LPSC 2018, GSA 2017
Mineralogy and Stratigraphy of Iazu Crater
Iazu Crater as captured by MRO's Context Camera (CTX) (NASA/JPL/MSSS)
Iazu is a late-Noachian/early Hesperian impact crater located in southern Meridiani Planum. We use CRISM, a VNIR hyperspectral imager aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, in along-track oversampled (ATO) mode to characterize mineralogy and achieve higher spatial resolution than the nominal 18 m/pixel. The walls of Iazu expose Burns formation sulfate-rich strata, a thicker section of what the Opportunity rover has sampled to the north. Beneath this are Noachian basalts with some alteration to smectite, indicating different environmental conditions.
Related works: JGR: Planets, GSA 2015, LPSC 2015, AGU 2014
Mineralogy of Horowitz Crater
In a side project I used CRISM to investigate the mineralogy of Horowitz’s central peak and walls. Horowitz is known for its proliferation of recurring slope lineae (RSLs) after the 2007 global dust storm. The area contains several interesting minerals detectable from orbital spectra, none of which appear to be perchlorates.
Related work: LPSC 2017
Abundance of Smectite Minerals in Mawrth Vallis
My first year graduate project focused on Mawrth Vallis, Mars, a popular landing site candidate. We used CRISM ATOs to map the occurrence of smectite minerals and estimate their abundance.
Related work: Eighth Mars