loading page

Planetary Neutron Spectroscopy for Metal-rich Compositions: Development of Analysis Framework for Measurements at the Asteroid (16) Psyche
  • +7
  • David J. Lawrence,
  • John O. Goldsten,
  • Patrick N Peplowski,
  • Zachary W Yokley,
  • Andrew W. Beck,
  • Morgan Burks,
  • Linda T. Elkins-Tanton,
  • Insoo Jun,
  • Timothy McCoy,
  • Thomas H. Prettyman
David J. Lawrence
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
John O. Goldsten
Unknown
Author Profile
Patrick N Peplowski
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Author Profile
Zachary W Yokley
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Author Profile
Andrew W. Beck
Marietta College
Author Profile
Morgan Burks
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Author Profile
Linda T. Elkins-Tanton
Arizona State University
Author Profile
Insoo Jun
Jet Propulsion Lab (NASA)
Author Profile
Timothy McCoy
Smithsonian Institution
Author Profile
Thomas H. Prettyman
Planetary Science Institute
Author Profile

Abstract

Neutron spectroscopy has become a standard technique for remotely measuring planetary surface compositions from orbital spacecraft around various planets. Measurements have successfully been carried out at the Moon, Mars, Mercury, and the asteroids Vesta and Ceres. The NASA Psyche mission is planning to make neutron measurements to characterize the composition of the M-class asteroid (16) Psyche. Earth-based remote sensing measurements allow for a wide range of Fe concentrations, ranging from ~25 wt.% to 90 wt.%, and geochemically plausible Ni concentrations range from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% or higher. To prepare for the analysis of Psyche neutron data, we have developed a new principal component analysis framework using four neutron energy ranges of thermal, low-energy epithermal, high-energy epithermal, and fast neutrons. With this analysis framework, we have demonstrated that the neutron measurements can uniquely distinguish variations of metal-to-silicate fraction, Ni, and hydrogen compositions. The strongest principal component is that of metal-to-silicate; the second strongest is Ni variations; the third is hydrogen variations. The validity of this framework can be first tested during a Mars gravity assist prior to arrival at Psyche.