<p>Yes, minerals can be observed using spectroscopy on a telescope, typically from their thermal signature. We can determine what type of mineral based on the elements that make up the mineral as well as the type of crystal structure, which will give a different <a href="http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~hamilton/VEH/TIR-SNCs3.html" rel="nofollow">spectral signature</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-10-11T17:10:22.363Z
The link in the comments is dead. The link in the answer refers to spectroscopy done in the lab on martian meteorites.
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-21T13:19:31.017Z
Details and examples?
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-21T18:51:30.367Z
http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/ResourcesNearEarthSpace/resources19.pdf see section III
Aaron
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-06T09:44:44.003Z
2014-07-06T09:44:44.003Z
Aaron
<p>Could a spectrometer on a probe or space telescope identify minerals, not only elements and molecules, from the spectral lines? Is there any technology for identifying minerals remotely?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-06T09:16:24.653Z
Minerals are molecules aren't they? I'm not sure I understand your question. If you want to probe any molecule, you can look for their characteristic spectral lines, and this should work for minerals as well. Or do you mean minerals beneath the surface which are not visible directly from above?
Takku
<spectroscopy>
Can spectroscopes identify minerals?
LocalFluff
# Can spectroscopes identify minerals?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-07-06)

Could a spectrometer on a probe or space telescope identify minerals, not only elements and molecules, from the spectral lines? Is there any technology for identifying minerals remotely?

**Tags:** spectroscopy

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Minerals are molecules aren't they? I'm not sure I understand your question. If you want to probe any molecule, you can look for their characteristic spectral lines, and this should work for minerals as well. Or do you mean minerals beneath the surface which are not visible directly from above?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-07-06. Score: 2

Yes, minerals can be observed using spectroscopy on a telescope, typically from their thermal signature. We can determine what type of mineral based on the elements that make up the mineral as well as the type of crystal structure, which will give a different [spectral signature](http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~hamilton/VEH/TIR-SNCs3.html)

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Details and examples?  
> **username_2**: http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/ResourcesNearEarthSpace/resources19.pdf see section III  
> **username_3**: The link in the comments is dead. The link in the answer refers to spectroscopy done in the lab on martian meteorites.  

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