TY - GEN
T1 - In-situ Rb-Sr geochronology
AU - Anderson, F. Scott
AU - Nowicki, Keith
AU - Whitaker, Tom
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - This paper reports on the first rubidium-strontium (Rb-Sr) radiometric dates using a Laser Desorption Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (LDRIMS) instrument capable of being miniaturized for flight to another planet. The LDRIMS instrument produces dates in under 24 hours, requires minimal sample preparation, and avoids the interference and mass resolution issues associated with other geochronology measurements. We have begun testing the bench-top prototype on the Boulder Creek Granite (BCG), from Colorado, comprised primarily of a gneissic quartz monzonite and granodiorite; whole rock Rb-Sr TIMS measurements result in dates of 1700±40 Ma [1]. Data reduction of the LDRIMS Rb-Sr measurements on calibrated repeat runs result in a date for the BCG of 1.727±0.087 Ga (n=288, MSWD=1). Most geochronology applications are willing to accept an MSWD up to ∼2.7; at MSWD=2, the precision improves to ±0.062 Ga. This technology is moving from lab prototype to field deployable instrument, and provides an opportunity to directly address the science goals of Mars Sample Return (MSR) within the bounds posed by current scientific, fiscal, and political pressures on the Mars program. Additionally, LDRIMS could potentially be flown to the Moon under the Discovery or New Frontiers program. We posit that in-situ geochronology missions to Mars to triage and validate samples for Mars Sample Return (MSR) are technically feasible in the 2018-2022 time frame.
AB - This paper reports on the first rubidium-strontium (Rb-Sr) radiometric dates using a Laser Desorption Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (LDRIMS) instrument capable of being miniaturized for flight to another planet. The LDRIMS instrument produces dates in under 24 hours, requires minimal sample preparation, and avoids the interference and mass resolution issues associated with other geochronology measurements. We have begun testing the bench-top prototype on the Boulder Creek Granite (BCG), from Colorado, comprised primarily of a gneissic quartz monzonite and granodiorite; whole rock Rb-Sr TIMS measurements result in dates of 1700±40 Ma [1]. Data reduction of the LDRIMS Rb-Sr measurements on calibrated repeat runs result in a date for the BCG of 1.727±0.087 Ga (n=288, MSWD=1). Most geochronology applications are willing to accept an MSWD up to ∼2.7; at MSWD=2, the precision improves to ±0.062 Ga. This technology is moving from lab prototype to field deployable instrument, and provides an opportunity to directly address the science goals of Mars Sample Return (MSR) within the bounds posed by current scientific, fiscal, and political pressures on the Mars program. Additionally, LDRIMS could potentially be flown to the Moon under the Discovery or New Frontiers program. We posit that in-situ geochronology missions to Mars to triage and validate samples for Mars Sample Return (MSR) are technically feasible in the 2018-2022 time frame.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878712077&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84878712077&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/AERO.2013.6497158
DO - 10.1109/AERO.2013.6497158
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84878712077
SN - 9781467318112
T3 - IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings
BT - 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference, AERO 2013
T2 - 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference, AERO 2013
Y2 - 2 March 2013 through 9 March 2013
ER -