ORCID Profile
0000-0002-2053-2819
Current Organisation
University of Valladolid
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Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 07-2023
DOI: 10.1029/2023EA002829
Abstract: The SuperCam instrument onboard the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover investigates Martian geological targets by a combination of multiple spectroscopic techniques. As Raman, Visible‐Infrared Spectroscopy, and Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) spectra deliver complementary information about the interrogated s le, the multivariate analysis of combined spectroscopic data sets is here proposed as a tool to optimize the SuperCam capability to discriminate mineral phases on Mars. For this purpose, the laboratory study of carbonate phases within the Ca‐Mg‐Fe ternary system were selected as representative case of study. After the characterization of model s les, the discrimination capability of mono analytical Raman, VISIR, and LIBS data sets was evaluated by applying a chemometric approach based on the combination of principal component analysis (for s le clustering) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (for mineral classification). Afterward, the low‐level combination (LL) of Raman, VISIR, and LIBS data was achieved by concatenating their spectra into a single data matrix. The mineral classification achieved by LL data sets outperformed the mono analytical ones, thus proving the complementarity between molecular and elemental spectroscopic techniques. Mineral classification was further improved by using a mid‐level data combination strategy. After evaluating benefits and limitations afforded by the proposed combination strategies, future developments are finally outlined. As such, the final objective of this research line is to develop a classification model based on data combination to optimize the capability of SuperCam in discriminating relevant minerals on Mars, this being a key requirement for the selection of the optimal targets to be cached for the future Mars S le Return Mission.
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 26-08-2022
Abstract: Before Perseverance, Jezero crater’s floor was variably hypothesized to have a lacustrine, lava, volcanic airfall, or aeolian origin. SuperCam observations in the first 286 Mars days on Mars revealed a volcanic and intrusive terrain with compositional and density stratification. The dominant lithology along the traverse is basaltic, with plagioclase enrichment in stratigraphically higher locations. Stratigraphically lower, layered rocks are richer in normative pyroxene. The lowest observed unit has the highest inferred density and is olivine-rich with coarse (1.5 millimeters) euhedral, relatively unweathered grains, suggesting a cumulate origin. This is the first martian cumulate and shows similarities to martian meteorites, which also express olivine disequilibrium. Alteration materials including carbonates, sulfates, perchlorates, hydrated silicates, and iron oxides are pervasive but low in abundance, suggesting relatively brief lacustrine conditions. Orbital observations link the Jezero floor lithology to the broader Nili-Syrtis region, suggesting that density-driven compositional stratification is a regional characteristic.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACA.2022.339837
Abstract: The SuperCam instrument, onboard the Perseverance rover (Mars 2020 mission) is designed to perform remote analysis on the Martian surface employing several spectroscopic techniques such as Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Time-Resolved Raman (TRR), Time-Resolved Fluorescence (TRF) and Visible and Infrared (VISIR) reflectance. In addition, SuperCam also acquires high-resolution images using a color remote micro-imager (RMI) as well as sounds with its microphone. SuperCam has three main subsystems, the Mast Unit (MU) where the laser for chemical analysis and collection optics are housed, the Body Unit (BU) where the different spectrometers are located inside the rover, and the SuperCam Calibration Target (SCCT) located on the rover's deck to facilitate calibration tests at similar ambient conditions as the analyzed s les. To perform adequate calibrations on Mars, the 22 mineral s les included in the complex SCCT assembly must have a very homogeneous distribution of major and minor elements. The analysis and verification of such homogeneity for the 5-6 replicates of the s les included in the SCCT has been the aim of this work. To verify the physic-chemical homogeneity of the calibration targets, micro Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) imaging was first used on the whole surface of the targets, then the relative abundances of the detected elements were computed on 20 randomly distributed areas of 100 × 100 μm. For those targets showing a positive Raman response, micro-Raman spectroscopy imaging was performed on the whole surface of the targets at a resolution of 100 × 100 μm. The %RSD values (percent of relative standard deviation of mean values) for the major elements measured with EDXRF were compared with similar values obtained by two independent LIBS set-ups at spot sizes of 300 μm in diameter. The statistical analysis showed which elements were homogeneously distributed in the 22 mineral targets of the SCCT, providing their uncertainty values for further calibration. Moreover, nine of the 22 targets showed a good Raman response and their mineral distributions were also studied. Those targets can be also used for calibration purposes of the Raman part of SuperCam using the wavenumbers of their main Raman bands proposed in this work.
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 04-2022
Abstract: The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landed on February 18, 2021, and has started ground operations. The ExoMars
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 07-2023
DOI: 10.1029/2022JE007638
Abstract: Séítah is the stratigraphically lowest formation visited by Perseverance in the Jezero crater floor. We present the data obtained by SuperCam: texture by imagery, chemistry by Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, and mineralogy by Supercam Visible and Infrared reflectance and Raman spectroscopy. The Séítah formation consists of igneous, weakly altered rocks dominated by millimeter‐sized grains of olivine with the presence of low‐Ca and high‐Ca pyroxenes, and other primary minerals (e.g., plagioclase, Cr‐Fe‐Ti oxides, phosphates). Along a ∼140 m long section in Séítah, SuperCam analyses showed evidence of geochemical and mineralogical variations, from the contact with the overlying Máaz formation, going deeper in the formation. Bulk rock and olivine Mg#, grain size, olivine content increase gradually further from the contact. Along the section, olivine Mg# is not in equilibrium with the bulk rock Mg#, indicating local olivine accumulation. These observations are consistent with Séítah being the deep ultramafic member of a cumulate series derived from the fractional crystallization and slow cooling of the parent magma at depth. Possible magmatic processes and exhumation mechanisms of Séítah are discussed. Séítah rocks show some affinity with some rocks at Gusev crater, and with some Martian meteorites suggesting that such rocks are not rare on the surface of Mars. Séítah is part of the Nili Fossae regional olivine‐carbonate unit observed from orbit. Future exploration of Perseverance on the rim and outside of the crater will help determine if the observations from the crater floor can be extrapolated to the whole unit or if this unit is composed of distinct sub‐units with various origins.
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 07-2023
DOI: 10.1029/2022JE007440
Abstract: The Máaz formation consists of the first lithologies in Jezero crater analyzed by the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. This formation, investigated from Sols (Martian days) 1 to 201 and from Sols 343 to 382, overlies the Séítah formation (previously described as an olivine‐rich cumulate) and was initially suggested to represent an igneous crater floor unit based on orbital analyses. Using SuperCam data, we conducted a detailed textural, chemical, and mineralogical analyses of the Máaz formation and the Content member of the Séítah formation. We conclude that the Máaz formation and the Content member are igneous and consist of different lava flows and/or possibly pyroclastic flows with complex textures, including vesicular and non‐vesicular rocks with different grain sizes. The Máaz formation rocks exhibit some of the lowest Mg# (=molar 100 × MgO/MgO + FeO) of all Martian igneous rocks analyzed so far (including meteorites and surface rocks) and show similar basaltic to basaltic‐andesitic compositions. Their mineralogy is dominated by Fe‐rich augite to possibly ferrosilite and plagioclase, and minor phases such as Fe‐Ti oxides and Si‐rich phases. They show a broad ersity of both compositions and textures when compared to Martian meteorites and other surface rocks. The different Máaz and Content lava or pyroclastic flows all originate from the same parental magma and/or the same magmatic system, but are not petrogenetically linked to the Séítah formation. The study of returned Máaz s les in Earth‐based laboratories will help constrain the formation of these rocks, calibrate Martian crater counting, and overall, improve our understanding of magmatism on Mars.
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 06-2023
DOI: 10.1029/2022JE007463
Abstract: Perseverance explored two geological units on the floor of Jezero Crater over the first 420 Martian days of the Mars2020 mission. These units, the Máaz and Séítah formations, are interpreted to be igneous in origin, with traces of alteration. We report the detection of carbonate phases along the rover traverse based on laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), infrared reflectance spectroscopy (IRS), and time‐resolved Raman (TRR) spectroscopy by the SuperCam instrument. Carbonates are identified through direct detection of vibrational modes of CO 3 functional groups (IRS and TRR), major oxides content, and ratios of C and O signal intensities (LIBS). In Séítah, the carbonates are consistent with magnesite‐siderite solid solutions (Mg# of 0.42–0.70) with low calcium contents ( wt.% CaO). They are detected together with olivine in IRS and TRR spectra. LIBS and IRS also indicate a spatial association of the carbonates with clays. Carbonates in Máaz are detected in fewer points, as: (a) siderite (Mg# as low as 0.03) (b) carbonate‐containing coatings, enriched in Mg (Mg# ∼0.82) and spatially associated with different salts. Overall, using conservative criteria, carbonate detections are rare in LIBS (∼30/2,000 points), IRS (∼15/2,000 points), and TRR (1/150 points) data. This is best explained by (a) a low carbonate content overall, (b) small carbonate grains mixed with other phases, (c) intrinsic complexity of in situ measurements. This is consistent with orbital observations of Jezero crater, and similar to compositions of carbonates previously reported in Martian meteorites. This suggests a limited carbonation of Jezero rocks by locally equilibrated fluids.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-02-2023
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-023-36172-1
Abstract: Identifying unequivocal signs of life on Mars is one of the most important objectives for sending missions to the red planet. Here we report Red Stone, a 163-100 My alluvial fan–fan delta that formed under arid conditions in the Atacama Desert, rich in hematite and mudstones containing clays such as vermiculite and smectites, and therefore geologically analogous to Mars. We show that Red Stone s les display an important number of microorganisms with an unusual high rate of phylogenetic indeterminacy, what we refer to as “dark microbiome”, and a mix of biosignatures from extant and ancient microorganisms that can be barely detected with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. Our analyses by testbed instruments that are on or will be sent to Mars unveil that although the mineralogy of Red Stone matches that detected by ground-based instruments on the red planet, similarly low levels of organics will be hard, if not impossible to detect in Martian rocks depending on the instrument and technique used. Our results stress the importance in returning s les to Earth for conclusively addressing whether life ever existed on Mars.
No related grants have been discovered for Jose Antonio Manrique.