Establishing a multi-frequency radar-sounding analogs for ice on Mars
People:
PI: John
Holt (UT)
Objectives:
We plan to acquire and analyze ~ 5,000 kilometers of multi-frequency
airborne sounding data from over the best terrestrial analogs to two features
targeted by Mars radar sounding – thick, cold East Antarctic ice and buried
glacial ice in the
Radar frequencies to be employed will consist of two HF bands equivalent to MARSIS on Mars Express (2-5 MHz) and SHARAD on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (15 – 25 MHz), in addition to a VHF band (52.5 - 67.5 MHz) for higher-resolution control. An airborne platform is required in order to acquire sufficient data for orbital simulation, to connect observations between ice core sites, and to adequately cover the targets of interest.
The data will be processed using multiple techniques identical to those used for Mars radar sounding data. Analysis of the data will follow, constrained by existing physical properties obtained from ice cores and surface-based geophysical studies. Although it is unlikely that the specific mechanisms that generate radar echoes in polar ice on Mars are the same as those on Earth, the most important factor governing the interpretation of radar stratigraphy for accumulation rate variability, ablation, and ice flow is layer geometry. How well actual layer geometry is represented in radar data of different wavelengths and bandwidths can be assessed much more thoroughly in Antarctic ice, providing important constraints on the interpretation of radar data from Mars.
Through this work we therefore expect to improve the state of knowledge regarding radar observations of layered ice and buried massive ice at the wavelengths relevant to observations underway at Mars so that more accurate and detailed information can be extracted regarding Mars climate history and the distribution of massive, near-surface water ice deposits.
Opportunites for
Participation: I'm always looking for
enthusiastic collaborators!
Read more >>
