Curiosity performs first x-ray analysis of Martian soil
Posted: Thu, Nov 1, 2012, 5:42 AM ET (0942 GMT)
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has performed the first x-ray diffraction analysis of Martian soil, finding it similar in composition to volcanic soils found in places like Hawaii. Scientists used Curiosity's Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument to perform x-ray diffraction analysis of Martian regolith samples scooped into instrument by the rover's robotic arm. X-ray diffraction, used for the first time on Mars, to provide a more accurate identification of minerals in the soil sample. The CheMin data shows the soil sample has a composition similar to weathered basaltic soils seen on Earth in places like Hawaii, a result scientists said they expected. Curiosity scientists are expected to talk Friday about the latest studies of the planet's atmosphere, including, possibly, whether the rover has detected any traces of methane.
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has performed the first x-ray diffraction analysis of Martian soil, finding it similar in composition to volcanic soils found in places like Hawaii. Scientists used Curiosity's Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument to perform x-ray diffraction analysis of Martian regolith samples scooped into instrument by the rover's robotic arm. X-ray diffraction, used for the first time on Mars, to provide a more accurate identification of minerals in the soil sample. The CheMin data shows the soil sample has a composition similar to weathered basaltic soils seen on Earth in places like Hawaii, a result scientists said they expected. Curiosity scientists are expected to talk Friday about the latest studies of the planet's atmosphere, including, possibly, whether the rover has detected any traces of methane.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, March 13
Firefly Aerospace to Announce Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Results on March 19, 2026
GlobeNewswire — 5:35 am ET (0935 GMT) ESA’s HydroGNSS on track to scout for water
ESA — 5:34 am ET (0934 GMT) FCC chair slams Amazon for slow satellite launches after it opposed SpaceX data center plan
CNBC — 5:34 am ET (0934 GMT) Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites scheduled from Vandenberg SFB early Friday morning
KEYT-TV Santa Barbara, CA — 5:33 am ET (0933 GMT) Better Signal: 1,600 Starlink Satellites Move Into Lower Orbits
PC Magazine — 5:33 am ET (0933 GMT) |
