CheMin
E86321
CheMin is a mineralogical laboratory instrument on NASA's Curiosity rover that uses X-ray diffraction to analyze the composition of Martian rocks and soil.
Aliases (1)
Statements (45)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
X-ray diffractometer
→
mineralogical laboratory instrument → payload instrument → scientific instrument → |
| abbreviationOf | Chemistry and Mineralogy → |
| analyzes |
Martian rocks
→
Martian sediments → Martian soil → |
| dataProduct |
X-ray diffraction patterns
→
mineral abundance estimates → unit-cell parameters of minerals → |
| dataUser | Mars Science Laboratory science team → |
| developedFor | in situ analysis of Martian surface materials → |
| environment | operates in Martian surface conditions → |
| hasComponent |
CCD detector
→
X-ray source → sample cell wheel → vibration mechanism for sample agitation → |
| hostBody | Mars → |
| landingSiteContext |
Gale Crater
→
surface form: "Gale Crater on Mars"
|
| launchAgency |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
→
surface form: "NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory"
|
| locatedOn | Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover NERFINISHED → |
| measurementType |
bulk chemistry (via XRF)
→
crystal structure → mineralogy → |
| mission | Mars Science Laboratory NERFINISHED → |
| notableResult |
detection of clay minerals in Gale Crater
→
evidence for past aqueous environments on Mars → first X-ray diffraction analysis on another planet → |
| operationalStatus | active (as of 2024) → |
| operator | NASA → |
| partOf | Curiosity rover → |
| powerSource | Curiosity rover power system → |
| purpose |
determine mineralogical composition of Martian samples
→
support assessment of past habitability on Mars → |
| sampleAcquisition |
receives powdered samples from Curiosity drill
→
receives scooped soil samples → |
| scientificDiscipline |
geochemistry
→
mineralogy → planetary geology → |
| spacecraft | Curiosity → |
| supportsObjective |
characterize geology and climate of Mars
→
search for signs of past habitable environments on Mars → |
| uses |
X-ray diffraction
→
X-ray fluorescence → |
Referenced by (3)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.
subject surface form: "Rubin Ridge"
this entity surface form: "CheMin on Curiosity rover"