Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine the elemental composition of Martian soil
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]
PIXL is manufactured and made by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Science objectives
The scientific objectives of the instrument are the following:[3]
- Provide detailed geochemical assessment of past environments, habitability, and biosignature preservation potential.
- Detect any potential chemical biosignatures that are encountered and characterize the geochemistry of any other types of potential biosignatures detected.
- Provide a detailed geochemical basis for selection of a compelling set of samples for return to Earth.
Gallery
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
- Composition of Mars
- Curiosity rover
- Exploration of Mars
- Geology of Mars
- List of rocks on Mars
- Mars Science Laboratory
- MOXIE
- Scientific information from the Mars Exploration Rover mission
- SHERLOC
- Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory
References
Scholia has a topic profile for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry.
External links
- Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry - NASA Mars
- v
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Mars 2020
- Timeline of Mars 2020
- Perseverance rover
- Ingenuity helicopter (list of flights)
- Hazcam
- Mastcam-Z
- MEDA
- MOXIE
- Navcam
- PIXL
- RIMFAX
- Rover embedded computers
- SHERLOC
- SuperCam
- MarsDial
- Multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator
- Rocker-bogie
- Sky crane
landing sites
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- Octavia E. Butler Landing
- Wright Brothers Field
- Cheyava Falls
- Exploration of Mars
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- Solar System portal