Linear Deconvolution
A unique aspect of thermal infrared emitted energy is that it mixes
linearly as function of the amount of minerals (endmembers) on the
surface. Spectral features from a planetary surface, a rock hand
sample, or particulate mixture can therefore be deconvolved (or
unmixed) using the TES spectral library in order to decipher the
percentages and spatial distrubution of those endmembers. An ongoing
research project is to develop, refine, and test the applicabilty and
speed of the linear deconvolution model for use on the data soon to be
returned from Earth and Mars. This testing has taken place in the
laboratory on particulates and rocks, and in the field using remote
sensing TIR data of Meteor Crater, AZ; The Kelso Dunes, CA; and on numerous
silicic domes in northern CA. Using thermal infrared imagery
yields not only information on surface composition, but temperature as
well. As such, it is an invaluable tool for monitoring active volcanic
centers. Complications arise, however, when dealing with a lava surface
that is highly vesiculated and/or vitrified. These textural effects are
the most current area of research and have been accurately mapped using
the deconvolution model in Hawaii and the Cascades.
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Spectroscopy