Mass spectrometric analysis in planetary science: Investigation of the surface and the atmosphere

P. Wurz*, D. Abplanalp, M. Tulej, M. Iakovleva, V. A. Fernandes, A. Chumikov, G. G. Managadze

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Knowing the chemical, elemental, and isotopic composition of planetary objects allows the study of their origin and evolution within the context of our Solar System. Landed probes are critical to such an investigation. Instruments on a landed platform can answer a different set of scientific questions than can instruments in orbit or on Earth. Composition studies for elemental, isotopic, and chemical analysis are best performed with dedicated mass spectrometer systems. Mass spectrometers have been part of the early lunar missions, and have been successfully employed to investigate the atmospheres of Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Titan, and in comet missions. Improved mass spectrometer systems are foreseen for many planetary missions currently in planning or implementation.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)408-422
    Number of pages15
    JournalSolar System Research
    Volume46
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 16 Nov 2012

    Keywords

    • Solar System Research
    • Laser Induce Breakdown Spectroscopy
    • Planetary Body
    • Flight Mass Spectrometer
    • Planetary Science

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Mass spectrometric analysis in planetary science: Investigation of the surface and the atmosphere'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this