Interest and design of magnetic properties measurements on planetary and asteroid landers
Abstract
Intrinsic magnetic properties, like susceptibility X, provide a precise determination of the iron phases with a penetration depth not available with other chemical and mineralogical sensing tools, thus allowing to unravel space weathering effects. Systematic studies of meteorites (see PS10.01 abstract of Rochette et al.) demonstrate that X measurements on asteroid surface could be a very efficient way to assign a meteorite class to a given asteroid. Another application could be the characterisation of the higly magnetic martian regolith. On the other hand natural remanent magnetization (NRM) measurements are crucial to interpret magnetic field anomalies such as those found on Mars and Moon, and likely to be found on Mercury. NRM gives also access to past magnetic fields and extinct planetary dynamo. Rugged, light and low consumption systems already exist for such measurements on earth and we will present a scheme to integrate both magnetic susceptibility (using a LC oscillator) and NRM (using a 3 axis fluxgate) on a lander to offer a versatile instrument package for every mission involving a lander. For the LC oscillator calibration of the geometric factor will be presented on a set of pebble of variable uneven shape and size. The fluxgate can be used both for making local magnetic anomaly maps, thus investigating subsurface structures, and for evaluating NRM of individual boulders.
- Publication:
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EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003EAEJA.....6023R