Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry explained

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]

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.

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

External links

• Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry - NASA Mars

Notes and References

1. Web site: Webster . Guy . Mars 2020 Rover's PIXL to Focus X-Rays on Tiny Targets . 31 July 2014 . . 31 July 2014 .
2. Web site: Adaptive sampling for rover X-ray lithochemistry . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808034737/http://www.davidraythompson.com/publications/Thompson_2014_iSAIRAS_PIXL.pdf . 2014-08-08 .
3. Web site: Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover: PIXL.