My research involves the use of remote sensing techniques to investigate planetary surface processes. The focus of my current research activities is to understand the volcanic, aqueous and sedimentary history of the martian crust and surface. To study martian surface properties, I use a wide range of measurements from both orbiting and landed spacecraft. These include: thermal and near infrared multispectral imaging and hyperspectral data sets, visible imagery and laser altimetry. My research is supported by NASA funding. Current areas of investigation are described below.

Martian Stratigraphy and Composition 
The ancient highlands of Mars exhibit a diverse suite of morphologic features and surface lithologies, and are host to numerous concentrations of water-related minerals such as phyllosilicates, sulfates and oxides. Through site-specific, integrated compositional and geologic mapping, I am working to develop a stratigraphic, compositional and geologic framework for interpreting the style and duration of environmental conditions in which these various minerals formed. Synthesizing information from all available sensors at the highest possible resolution will also contribute to our understanding of martian crustal and petrologic evolution.

Landing Site Selection Support for the Mars Science Laboratory  
The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), NASA's next roving spacecraft, will arrive at Mars in 2010. Mars scientists and NASA engineers are currently working on selecting the landing site for the rover. To assist in the site selection, I am generating high resolution mineral maps for all candidate sites using THEMIS and TES data.

Selected Publications

Rogers, A. D. and O. Aharonson, Mineralogical composition of sands in Meridiani Planum determined from MER data and comparison to orbital measurements, J. Geophys. Res.--Planets, doi:10.1029/2007JE002995, in press.

T. D. Glotch, and A. D. Rogers, Evidence for aqueous deposition of hematite and sulfate-rich light-toned layered deposits in Aureum and Iani Chaos, Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 112, E06001, doi:10.1029/2006JE002863, 2007.

Rogers, A. D., J. L. Bandfield, and P. R. Christensen, Global spectral classification of martian low-albedo regions with MGS-TES data, J. Geophys. Res.—Planets, 112, E02004, doi: 10.1029/2006JE002726, 2007.

Rogers, A. D., and P. R. Christensen, Surface mineralogy of martian low-albedo regions from MGS-TES data: Implications for crustal evolution and surface alteration, J. Geophys. Res.—Planets, 112, E01003, doi: 10.1029/2006JE002727, 2007.

Rogers, A. D., P. R. Christensen, and J. L. Bandfield, Compositional heterogeneity of the ancient martian crust: Surface analysis of Ares Vallis bedrock with THEMIS and TES data, J. Geophys. Res.—Planets, 110, doi:10.1029/2005JE002399, 2005.

Christensen, P. R., H. Y. McSween, Jr., J. L. Bandfield, S. W. Ruff, A. D. Rogers, V. E. Hamilton, N. Gorelick, M. B. Wyatt, B. M. Jakosky, H. H. Kieffer, M. C. Malin, and J. E. Moersch, Evidence for Igneous Diversity and Magmatic Evolution on Mars from Infrared Spectral Observations, Nature, doi:10.1038/nature03639, 2005.

Bandfield, J. L., D. Rogers, M. D. Smith, and P. R. Christensen, Atmospheric correction and surface spectral unit mapping techniques using Thermal Emission Imaging System data, J. Geophys. Res., 109, E10008, doi:10.1029/2004JE002289, 2004.

P. R. Christensen, M.B. Wyatt, T. D. Glotch, A. D. Rogers, R. E. Arvidson, J. L. Bandfield, D.L. Blaney, C. Budney, W. M. Calvin, R. L. Fergason, T.G. Graff, V.E. Hamilton, A. Hayes, J..R. Johnson, A.T. Knudson, H. Y. McSween, Jr., G. L. Mehall, L. K. Mehall, J.E. Moersch, R.V. Morris, M. D. Smith, S.W. Squyres, S. W. Ruff, and M.J. Wolff, Mineralogy at Meridiani Planum from the Mini-TES Experiment on the Opportunity Rover, Science, 306, 1733-1739, 2004.

Rogers, D. and P. R. Christensen, Age relationship of basaltic and andesitic surface compositions on Mars: Analysis of high-resolution TES observations of the northern hemisphere, J. Geophys. Res., 10.1029/2002JE001913, 2003.