Using Neutron Tomography to study aqueous alteration processes on Mars

Understanding the fluid pathways and timing(s) of fluid flow within Martian meteorites is critical to our understanding of the nature and origin of water at or near the red planet’s surface. Elucidating Mars’ aqueous past is critical to major questions on past or current habitable environments on Mars and the investigation of rocks and minerals formed through aqueous processes is a key driver for ESA and NASA robotic exploration missions. Neutron tomography’s sensitivity to hydrous phases facilitates our observation of the products of aqueous alteration without destroying or invasively sampling these precious samples. Our key objective is to characterise the 3D distribution and variety of hydrous phases in Martian meteorites, allowing us to better determine how fluids migrated into these rocks on Mars, how many distinct events are present and the relative timings of these events.