MinSpectra

Minspectra is a program to display and analyze mineral spectral data. Within the last ten years mineral spectral analysis via spaceborne, airborne and surface instruments has become widespread and is now the principle method for analyzing and mapping minerals on a regional scale. Most existing databases are compiled from Thermal Emission Spectrometers (TES), which collect data in the infra-red (IR), near infra-red (NIR) and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) ranges. These wavelengths have proven to be the most effective for mineral identification. MinSpectra will display digital spectral files and also extract peaks and perform further analysis. Bitmap images of spectral plots can also be displayed, as some databases use this type of data for displaying spectral plots. A database menu is available for linking to external spectral databases. MinSpectra can be used with the Arizona State University (ASU) rock forming minerals spectral database, supplied as a text file that can be loaded directly into MinSpectras spreadsheet. USGS Spectra Library 4a is now supplied with MinSpectra and can be loaded directly without any reformatting. MinSpectra will read the supplied JHU Spectra Library (*.txt), USGS Spectral Library 4a (*.spc) and 5a (*.asc) data and the supplied ASU Rock Forming Minerals Spectra Library (*.txt). Text files containing spectra data can also be imported or pasted into the spreadsheet.