IceLab is the Planetary Ice Laboratory at the University of Bern (Physics Institute, Space and Planetary Science Division and NCCR PlanetS). It is lead by the Planetary Imaging Group (PIG).
The main objectives of the projects are to:
- Create, collect and distribute a suite of well-characterized and reproducible analogues to Solar System planets, moons and small body icy surfaces.
- Measure their reflectance over the solar spectrum as a function of various parameters (wavelength, polarization, photometric angles) and its evolution in simulated planetary and space environments.
- Investigate different wavelength ranges and physico-chemical properties through collaborations by sharing samples with other groups and institutions.
- Use the experimental results to interpret measurements of planetary surfaces, either by direct comparison or through the testing and calibration of physical models.
- Distribute the experimental results and analysis tools in open-access databases.
- Test ideas and technologies for future remote-sensing and in-situ instrumentation, characterize components and support the calibration.
