Analysis of spectral orbital and laboratory data to further constrain Martian habitable environments

Abstract

A large amount and a wide variety of information can be retrieved from the study of the thermal emission and reflectance spectra of a planetary object. An analysis of spectral orbital and laboratory data is used to create a map of the Martian surface showing the global distribution of potential habitable regions. This will be of highest interest to future Mars missions and it will be a key to further investigate the history and evolution of the planet. To achieve this goal, the surface mineralogy of the planet is retrieved implementing an advanced method for separating the spectral signatures of the Martian surface and atmosphere. The global distribution of potential habitable regions of the Martian surface will be mapped based on the analysis of the presence, type and abundance of aqueous alteration minerals observed in orbital spectral data.