We gratefully acknowledge funding and support from:

Acknowledgments: CREATE partners from the University of BritishColumbia, University of Winnipeg, York University, and McGillUniversity, as well as collaborators from NASA JPL, Stony BrookUniversity, and Canadian company Canadensys, took part in themission, with instrument contributions from Western, University ofWinnipeg, CSA, the UK Space Agency, and MacDonald, Dettwilerand Associates Ltd. (MDA).

References: [1] Osinski et al. (2017) LPS XLVIII, this conf. [2] Caudillet al. (2017) LPS XLVIII. This conf. [3] Pontefract et al. (2016) LPSXLVII #2117. [4] Mittelholz et al. (2016) LPS XLVII #1578. [5] Vítek etal. (2009) Planetary and Space Science 57(4):454–459. [6] Estrada(2007) RMAG 55, 1-8. [7] Marshall et al. (2015) Astrobiology 15(9):761-769. [8] Vítek et al. (2009) Planetary and Space Science 57(4): 454-459. [9] Marshall et al. (2007) Astrobi-ology 7, 631–643.

Abstract: 1581

The Use of Raman Spectroscopy for the

2016 CanMars MSR Analogue Mission

T. Xie1, A. Mittelholz2, G. R. Osinski1,3

1Dept. Earth Sciences / Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada (txie23@uwo.ca), 2Dept. of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 3Dept. Physics and Astronomy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.

The search for evidence of life, both extant and extinct, is one of the most challenging objectives of current analogue missions and future Mars exploration. At the locations of interest targeted during this mission, Raman spectroscopy detected several inorganic and organic materials that may be potential indicators of water and life, including sulfate minerals (such as gypsum) and carotenoids (such as β-carotene).

Gypsum is a hydrated calcium sulfate formed by precipitation in aqueousenvironments. It was detected on Mars by in situ spectroscopic analyses by Spirit,Opportunity, and Curiosity as well as orbital spectroscopic studies [7].

β-Carotene (C40H56) can absorb UV-C radiation, providing partial protectionfrom a harmful UV environment as expected on Mars. It acts as a DNA-repairagent in radiation-damaged cells and could be pre-served [8]. Detection of β-Carotene suggests the presence of endolithic communities within the rock.

Challenges Intense fluorescence emission induced by the wavelength of laser

excitation is problematic and often resulted in lower signal-to-noise ratios. Fluorescence emission in geological samples can be induced by transition

metals (e.g., Cr, V, and Mn), rare earth elements, and organic material (e.g.,aliphatic hydrocarbons and low-molecular-mass aromatic hydrocarbons).

Two portable Raman spectrometers Simulate the Raman spectrometer aspects of

SuperCam and SHERLOC instruments during theMars 2020 mission.

Daily instrument calibration a silicon crystal slabwith a known Raman peak at 520cm-1.

Data interpretation and processing the program“CrystalSleuth - RRuff” [6].

Figure 2. (Left) Raman scattering with fluorescence. (Right)Raman spectrum collected bythe 532nm (blue line) laser and 785nm (red line) showing high fluorescence background.

For future analogue or planetary mission

Hardware - Laser choiceExcitation with appropriate beam size and laser power depending on targetsand mission objectives: Blue or green lasers inorganic materials, Ultra-violet lasers, resonance effects, time resolved and surface enhanced

Raman scattering; resonance Raman on bio-molecules and fluorescencesuppression.

Software an advanced rover built-in software, facilitate a quick and simple

evaluation of data with a conditional sequencing function to offersuggestions on adjusting collecting time and laser power based on theformer data quality.

Also, well-designed pre-mission tests using a variety of samples underdifferent environments are essential and will help form the basis of aspecialized inorganic and organic reference library for future missions.

Raman spectroscopy, using monochromatic light, often in the near-infrared (NIR), visible or UV range, to exploit the phenomena of inelasticscattering, is a fundamental nondestructive analytical technique forcharacterizing mineralogical and organic material (separately or incombination with LIBS or fluorescence) and is to be used in upcoming NASAand ESA missions to Mars [5].

CanMars 2016 analogue mission A rover situated in an unknown area in Utah was controlled by a group of

students and postdoctoral fellows at Western. The mission simulation with MESR (Mars Exploration Science Rover) was

the most comprehensive and realistic analogue missions ever conducted by aCanadian-led team [1].

Picking up from CanMars 2015 [2,3,4], this simulation was run as a trainingand learning exercise in preparation for Mars 2020.

Raman DeltaNu

Rockhound

B&W Tek

i-Raman

Laser 785 nm 532 nm

Power 120 mW (max) 50 mW (max)

Range 200-2000 cm-1 175-4000 cm-1

Resolution 8 cm-1 4 cm-1

Beam size 75 µm 80 µm

DeltaNu Rockhound

B&W Tek i-Raman

Table 1.(Up) Details of the two portable Raman used in the mission.Figure 1. (Right)Theory of Raman scattering.

Gypsum β-carotene

532nm laser

785nm laser

532nm laser