Abstract

The techniques of Fourier transform spectroscopy combined with large aperture telescopes and advances in detector technology now permit infrared (λ > 1 μ) observations of the surfaces of small solar system objects such as asteroids and satellites. The results demonstrate that this activity can produce important new compositional information related to the origin and evolution of the solar system. The detection of water ice in Saturn's rings and on some of the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn confirm expectations that ices are important mineralogical components in the chemistry of the outer solar system. More recent studies of the mineralogical composition of the surfaces of asteroids provide a new observational link to the origin of meteorites and the early thermal history of the solar system. These results have been dependent upon supporting laboratory studies of the spectral behavior of ices and minerals to define the potential, and limitations, of the method. Since many of the astronomical observations have been exploratory in nature, prospects are good that continued refinement of the techniques will lead to additional insights.

Infrared Fourier spectrometer for laboratory use and for astronomical studies from aircraft and ground-based telescopes

Harold P. Larson and Uwe Fink
Appl. Opt. 14(9) 2085-2095 (1975)

Airborne infrared astronomical observations by Fourier transform spectroscopy

Harold P. Larson
Appl. Opt. 17(9) 1352-1359 (1978)

Analysis and application of Fourier transform spectroscopy in atmospheric remote sensing

Jae H. Park
Appl. Opt. 23(15) 2604-2613 (1984)

Seismology with a Fourier-transform spectrometer: applications to giant planets and stars

J. P. Maillard
Appl. Opt. 35(16) 2734-2746 (1996)

Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy for in situ planetary mineralogy

Jordana Blacksberg, George R. Rossman, and Anthony Gleckler
Appl. Opt. 49(26) 4951-4962 (2010)