Planetary_Instrument_for_X-Ray_Lithochemistry

Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry

Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry

X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine the elemental composition of Martian soil

"PIXL" redirects here. For other uses, see PIXL (disambiguation).

Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) is an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials designed for the Perseverance rover as part of the Mars 2020 mission.[1][2]

Mars Perseverance rover - PIXL studies a rock (artist concept)

PIXL is manufactured and made by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Science objectives

The scientific objectives of the instrument are the following:[3]

  1. Provide detailed geochemical assessment of past environments, habitability, and biosignature preservation potential.
  2. Detect any potential chemical biosignatures that are encountered and characterize the geochemistry of any other types of potential biosignatures detected.
  3. Provide a detailed geochemical basis for selection of a compelling set of samples for return to Earth.
Perseverance rover - PIXL (31 July 2014).
PIXL − first chemical maps of a single rock on Mars (20 July 2021)
PIXL imaged on Mars by the rover's navigation camera.
Perseverance analyzes Rochette rock (August 2021)
Rover studies rock
After abrading rock
Bellegarde patch
WATSON view
PIXL view
Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL)
Uncovered
Hexapod
Nightlight
Calibration
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer developed for the Perseverance rover to analyze the chemistry of surface materials.

See also

References

Scholia has a topic profile for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry.
  1. [1]
    Webster, Guy (31 July 2014). "Mars 2020 Rover's PIXL to Focus X-Rays on Tiny Targets". NASA. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  2. [2]
    "Adaptive sampling for rover X-ray lithochemistry" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-08.
  3. [3]
    "Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover: PIXL".
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