The following document lists the file abstract/JBELL_MARS_SAT.abs
from catalogue VI/111.
A plain copy of the file
(without headers/trailers) may be downloaded.
There is a great deal of interest in the Martian satellites because they are most likely captured asteroids and they may have a substantial resource potential that could be an important factor in future human and robotic spacecraft exploration of Mars. We propose to use ISO-SWS in SWS01 mode to observe Phobos and Deimos from 2.4 to 45.2 microns. Our primary scientific goals are: (1) To search for absorption features in spectra of Phobos and Deimos arising from silicates, hydrates, and possibly organic (C-H bearing) materials; and (2) to define the overall infrared spectral character of these objects in order to constrain their origin and evolution. These observations will help to solve several outstanding scientific problems related to these objects. First, the IR continuum spectral behavior and the presence of specific silicate absorption features will allow the satellites to be classified within the current visible to near-IR asteroid classification scheme (no previous mid-IR spectra of either satellite have been obtained). Second, the observations will measure the hydration state of the satellites based on the strength of hydrated mineral absorption bands near 3.0 and 6.2 microns. ISO is required for these observations because many of the most diagnostic silicate and hydrate absorption features occur at infrared wavelengths that are inaccessible from the ground. Secondly, ISO has superior sensitivity over groundbased instruments to detect these faint objects that are fairly close to Mars.