The Planetary Terrestrial Analogues Library (PTAL)

The Planetary Terrestrial Analogues Library project aims to build and exploit a spectral data base for the characterization of the mineralogical and geological evolution of terrestrial planets and small Solar System bodies. Basis for the library is our collection of natural field-collected and artificial planetary (often Martian) analogue materials as well as materials, which have been altered in laboratory experiments. All samples were characterized by XRD, thin sections as base and as input for the spectral library with standard commercial and dedicated spacecraft instrumentation (NIR, RAMAN, LIBS) under laboratory conditions. The database will allow users to jointly interpret laboratory results and newly gathered in-situ or remote sensing data using instruments (LIBS, NIR, Raman) on board of current and future space missions (e.g., Hayabusa-2, Curiosity, ExoMars, Mars2020). The main aim of the database is the use of spectra stored for purposes related to comparison, identification, quantification and spectral calculation when spectroscopic instruments such as NIR, Raman and LIBS operate in planetary missions and/or analyzing materials in the field or in the laboratory. This database features spectral tools allowing for the spectral data treatment implementation plans are the integration of the database management and algorithms in an end-user platform with graphical interfaces for the use of the data and analyzing tools. The public release of the Planetary Terrestrial Analogues Library will be at the end of year 2020. We will have a demonstration and tutorial during the EGU-GA 2020.

Acknowledgements: This project is financed through the European Research Council in the H2020-COMPET-2015 programme (grant 687302).