MIDINFRARED SPECTROPOLARIMETRY AS A REMOTE-SENSING TOOL

We describe our preliminary investigation of mid-infrared spectropolar imetry as a new technique to accurately measure features in the therma l spectra of planetary regoliths. The 5- to 12-mum polarization of ign eous rocks and powders commonly found on planetary surfaces is measure d to explore the viability of this technique for future ground-based a nd space-based experiments. We find mid-infrared polarization to be di agnostic of composition for both whole rock and sand samples.