Incorporation of Portable Infrared Spectral Imaging Into Planetary Geological Field Work: Analog Studies at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico

Abstract

During geological work for future planetary missions, portable/hand‐held infrared spectral imaging instruments have the potential to significantly benefit science objectives. We assess how ground‐based infrared spectral imaging can be incorporated into geological field work in a planetary setting through a series of field campaigns at two analog sites: Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico. For this study, we utilize thermal infrared emission spectroscopy (8–13 μm) because this wavelength range is sensitive to major silicate spectral features and covers the terrestrial atmospheric window; however, our conclusions are applicable to other forms of infrared imaging (e.g., near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy). We demonstrate the ways in which spectral imaging could potentially enhance the science return and/or efficiency of traditional geological field work. Benefits include the following: documentation of major compositional variations within scenes, the ability to detect visually subtle and/or concealed variability in (sub) units, and the ability to characterize remote and/or inaccessible outcrops. These advantages could help field workers rapidly document sample context and develop strategic work plans. Furthermore, ground‐based imaging provides a critical link between orbital/aerial imaging scales and sampling scales. Last, infrared spectral imaging data may be combined with in situ measurement techniques, such as X‐ray fluorescence, as well as other ground‐based remote sensing techniques, such as LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), to maximize geological understanding of the work area.

Introduction to Science and Exploration of the Moon, Near‐Earth Asteroids, and Moons of Mars

“…This work provides important context for potential future human exploration of pyroclastic deposits and could also be used as the basis of detailed remote sensing studies of lunar or terrestrial pyroclastic deposits. Ito et al (2018) and Young et al (2018) present results from field analog work at the Kilauea December 1974 lava flow in Hawai'i and the Potrillo Volcanic Field in New Mexico. Among the goals of the field teams associated with these studies was to test the incorporation of field portable instrumentation into geologic field work, as might be conducted on the Moon.…”

“…Among the goals of the field teams associated with these studies was to test the incorporation of field portable instrumentation into geologic field work, as might be conducted on the Moon. Ito et al (2018) demonstrate the use of field portable infrared (~8-13 μm) imaging and spectroscopy in field settings. They show that the incorporation of infrared analysis capability provides substantial added value in field campaigns and suggest that the technique and instruments should be further developed for human missions to the Moon or other bodies.…”

The Incorporation of Field Portable Instrumentation Into Human Planetary Surface Exploration

“…We simulated a multispectral frame imager by manually placing optical bandpass filters on a lens mount in front of a commercially available thermal camera. The center wavelengths of these filters are 8.3, 8.6, 9.1, 10.3, and 11.3 μm (filter functions shown in Appendix A.1 of Ito et al, ), which were chosen to identify silicate minerals by capturing their major spectral features (reststrahlen bands). Five images, one for each filter, were acquired within a time frame of approximately 3 min.…”

Using near–surface temperature data to vicariously calibrate high-resolution thermal infrared imagery and estimate physical surface properties

“…The use of thermal cameras to analyze landscapes has expanded over the last decade (e.g., [ 6 , 14 , 15 , 21 , [32] , [33] , [34] , 39 , 40 ]). However, depending on the type and age of the thermal cameras, the output image may be self-calibrated in radiance, corrected for atmospheric absorption and emission, and each pixel converted to surface temperature values.…”