Remote Sensing Science Activity 3: Mineral Fingerprinting Audio Files
Youth first listen to audio files of spectra for 6 known minerals. Then, based on the audio files, they identify unknown minerals at 4 potential landing sites on Mars (Gale Crater, Iani Chaos, Jezero Crater, and Nili Fossae).
Known Mineral Audio Files
Play these audio tracks. Listen for differences between the files.
Gale Crater Unknown Mineral Audio Files
Play these audio tracks. Try to identify the minerals by comparing them to the known mineral audio files.
Iani Chaos Unknown Mineral Audio Files
Play these audio tracks. Try to identify the minerals by comparing them to the known mineral audio files.
Jezero Crater Audio Files
Play these audio tracks. Try to identify the minerals by comparing them to the known mineral audio files.
Nili Fossae Audio Files
Play these audio tracks. Try to identify the minerals by comparing them to the known mineral audio files.
End of Activity Reflection
Today, we identified minerals at potential landing sites on Mars. Which site do you think has the most interesting minerals?
Key Take Away
We can use data from known samples of minerals on earth to help identify minerals on other planets. Data can come in multiple forms, including audio, visual, and others.
Did you know?
Mars rover Perseverance has captured real sounds from Mars? Explore more audio data from NASA at https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/sounds/