Thermal Emission Spectroscopy of Sulfates and Sulfate-bearing Minerals: Application to Mars

Sulfates and sulfate-bearing minerals are likely to be present on Mars as suggested by the sulfur abundances measured at the Viking and Pathfinder landing sites (\~5-10% by weight SO3). The currently orbiting midinfrared instruments (TES, THEMIS) and the Mini-TES on the upcoming landers may enable a positive identification and determination of the chemistry of the sulfates. Critically important to the identification of these minerals is the presence of their spectra in a spectral library. This ongoing study will produce thermal emission spectra of many sulfates and sulfate-bearing minerals that will be well characterized for inclusion in the online spectral library hosted by Arizona State University.