Science Report
12/29/2013
Michael C. Bouchard
After cataloging all of the samples I have collected my first two EVA's I spent a few hours
today running them all through our prototyped Ultra-Violet Spectrometer. I recorded my procedure
(below) so that it can be replicated and took two shots of each of the soil samples (summary below).
I took an image of each sample with 5 grams of material in the Sample Housing and then with 20
grams. I measured the samples by mass, recorded their relative dampness-dryness and sterilized the
equipment between each sample.
I am a little worried as to whether I will get any data out of these runs. All of the 20
gram runs came our opaque and the webcam was unable to pick up any information. The 5 gram shots
were also pretty foggy. I only ran 5 and 20 today because our rover's core sampler may not be able
to recover less than 5 grams. I also cannot say definitively what the results of today's tests were.
The images I shot will have to be run through a software that I do not have on my computer.
Communication equipment permitting I will send the images back to my team at Missouri S&T, but I am
not optimistic.
If no data can be collected from these tests I will try to reconfigure the spec, and run
smaller samples. At the very least this has give us very valuable information about the instrument
that will help us in the development of the next iteration.
Procedures:
SetUp
1.1-Turn on Spec and check to insure all hardware is operating nominally
1.2-Place diffraction grading wrapped Sample Housing in place
1.3-Secure Spec's lid and check for light leaks
Calibration
2.1-Open Webcam software
2.2-Turn on UV light
2.3-Shoot a test shot and label as no-solution
2.4-Examine, and save calibration shot
2.5-Turn off UV light
2.6-Open Spec
2.7-Remove the Sample Housing and add 300ml of solution (water at MDRS)
2.8-Replace Sample Housing, and secure Spec's lid
2.9-Turn on UV light
2.10-Shoot a test shot and label as blank-solution
2.11-Examine, and save calibration shot
2.12-Turn off UV light
2.13-Open Spec
Sample Analysis
3.1-Powder desired sample
3.2-Measure out X grams of your sample
3.3-Remove the Sample Housing and add 300ml of solution
3.4-Mix sample into solution (stirred with whisk at MDRS)
3.5-Replace Sample Housing, and secure Spec's lid
3.6-Turn on UV light
3.7-Take a shot of the sample, save and label
3.8-Turn off UV light
3.9-Open Spec
3.10-Discard solution and sterilize mixer and Sample Housing
3.11-Repeate Steps 3.1-3.10 until all desired samples have been run
CleanUp
4.1-Secure and stow all samples
4.2-Turn off any electrical equipment
4.3-Close Webcam software
4.4-Clean mixer and Sample Housing
4.5-Stow Spec and all other equipment
Samples:
1.5 - HS - Desert Varnish
- No Spec
1.6 - SS - Greenish Shale
- muddy 5.00g = foggy
- muddy 20.04g = opaque
1.10 - SS - Brownie brown, platy
- dry 5.10g = foggy
- dry 19.92g = opaque
2.2 - SS - Saturated SURFACE sample
- damp 20.06g = no visibility
-damp 4.89g = foggy
2.4 - HS - Chert and Basalt
- No Spec
2.6 - SS - Medium brown wash with white banding
- dry 5.12g = foggy
- dry = 20.78g = opaque
2.8 - SS - Tan sandy dirty flood plain
- damp 5.06g = foggy
- damp 19.87g = opaque
2.9 - SS - Tan sandy dirty flood plain
-dry 5.06g = foggy
-dry 20.26g = opaque
2.12 - SS - Friable Green Mudstone with white mineraliztion SURFACE sample -
-dry 5.01g = opaque
-dry 19.99g = opaque