spacetoday.net: Curiosity performs first x-ray analysis of Martian soil

Posted: Thu, Nov 1, 2012, 5:42 AM ET (0942 GMT)
Mars Science Laboratory illustration (NASA/JPL)

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.