DIX Planetary Science Seminar

Mid-infrared (MIR; ~5–30 μm) spectroscopy provides crucial insights into understanding regolith properties on airless Solar System bodies, like the Moon and asteroids. In addition to composition, MIR spectra are strongly affected by physical properties, such as particle size, packing state, and environmental conditions. These complexities make the MIR spectral region both challenging and powerful for studying planetary surfaces. In this seminar, Dr. Audrey Martin will discuss her laboratory-based work using MIR spectroscopy to investigate the effects of physical parameters on the spectral signatures of lunar and asteroid regolith analogs. She will present results from laboratory experiments examining how variations in albedo, particle size, and regolith porosity impact the shape, depth, and position of MIR spectral features. By combining laboratory spectroscopy with remote observations (e.g., from the James Webb Space Telescope), Dr. Martin will demonstrate how this integrated approach enhances our ability to untangle physical and compositional properties of planetary surfaces, leading to a more robust understanding of the Solar System's small bodies.