CORE ANALYSIS COMBINING MT (TIPPER) AND DIELECTRIC SENSORS (SANS EC) IN EARTH AND SPACE
Michael C. Mound, CPG-3195 Kenneth L. Dudley
ABSTRACT
On terrestrial planets and moons of our solar system cores reveal details about a geological structure’s formation, content, and history. The strategy for the search for life is focused first on finding water which serves as a universal solvent, and iden- tifying the rocks which such solvent act upon to release the constituent salts, minerals, ferrites, and organic compounds and chemicals necessary for life. Dielectric spectroscopy mea- sures the dielectric properties of a medium as a function of frequency. Reflection measurements in the frequency range from 300 kHz to 300 MHz were carried out using RF and microwave network analyzers interrogating SansEC Sensors placed on clean geological core samples. These were conducted to prove the concept feasibility of a new geology instrument useful in the field and laboratory. The results show that unique complex frequency spectra can be acquired for a variety of rock core samples. Using a combination of dielectric spectros- copy and computer simulation techniques the magnitude and phase information of the frequency spectra can be converted to dielectric spectra. These low-frequency dielectric properties of natural rock are unique, easily determined, and useful in characterizing geology.
TIPPER is an Electro-Magnetic Passive-Source Geophysical Method for Detecting and Mapping Geothermal Reservoirs and Mineral Resources. This geophysical method uses distant lightning and solar wind activity as its energy source. The most interesting deflections are caused by the funneling of electrons into more electrically conductive areas like mineralized faults, water or geothermal reservoirs. We propose TIPPER to be used with SansEC for determining terrain/ocean chemistry, ocean depth, geomorphology of fracture structures, and other subsurface topography characteristics below the ice crust of Jovian moons.
NASA envisions lander concepts for exploration of these extraterrestrial icy surfaces and the oceans beneath. One such concept would use a nuclear powered heated tip for melting through the ice sheath of Europa and inserting a down hole SansEC with TIPPER interface. NASA’s Juno space probe already on the way to Jupiter as part of the Exploration New Frontiers Program and the planned Europa mission will con- duct detailed reconnaissance of Jupiter’s moon Europa and investigate whether the icy moon could harbor conditions suit- able for life. It has already been observed that Jovian moons have auroras that may serve as naturally occurring active energy sources for a TIPPER instrument.
The full color article will be available on the AIPG National website under publications/TPG.
INTRODUCTION
The objective of this effort is to research and develop radio frequency instrumentation and data processing techniques for planetary surface and subsurface spectroscopy. Building on current innovative research we anticipate near future and long-term development of a series of unique experimental ground-based, airborne, and space qualified light weight sounding instruments. These hardware systems and tech- niques will establish a baseline option of RF spectroscopic instruments for integration into future planetary science missions for Earth, Moon, and Mars in the near term as well as Jovian and Saturnian moons in the far term.
Fig. 1. Europa moon of Jupiter.
NASA will benefit from this initial activity by combining the skills and strengths of experts in Geology, Electromagnetic Sensors, Space Science, and Instrumentation. We will gain and advance the ability to integrate a series of ground based electromagnetic sensors with airborne electromagnetic sen- sors, and orbiting electromagnetic sensor platforms for the purpose of high resolution, broad area, multi-spectral scientific observations of surface and subsurface material composition of planetary bodies. This is to include science data on sur- face roughness, surface and subsurface chemistry (including organics); material states (solids including ice, liquid, gases); dielectric characteristics of surface and subsurface geology; and radar reflectivity, transmissivity, and emissivity for determining planetary albedo, atmospheric, climate, and other planetary properties. Such a wide range of science data from versatile electromagnetic sensors will enable and advance
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