PIXL

E88913

PIXL is a highly sensitive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer on NASA's Perseverance rover used to analyze the elemental composition of Martian rocks and soil at microscopic scales.


Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Mars rover instrument
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
scientific instrument
acronymFor Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry
analyzes Martian rocks
Martian soil
capability map elemental composition at fine spatial scales
collaboratesWith SHERLOC
SuperCam
WATSON camera
contributesTo Mars Sample Return campaign
dataType elemental maps
spectra
detects fluorescent X-rays emitted by target elements
determines elemental abundances
developer Jet Propulsion Laboratory
surface form: "NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory"
enables selection of samples for potential return to Earth
fieldOfView small spot on rock or soil surface
fullName Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry
hasComponent X-ray detector
X-ray tube
calibration target
fine-scale positioning stage
hostPlatform Mars 2020 Perseverance rover robotic arm turret
measurementTechnique X-ray fluorescence
missionStartContext landed with Perseverance in Jezero Crater in 2021
missionType in situ geochemical analysis
mountedOn turret at end of Perseverance robotic arm
observationMode raster scanning of target surface
onboard Perseverance rover
operatedBy NASA
operationalEnvironment Martian surface
partOfMission Mars 2020
surface form: "Mars 2020 mission"
primaryPurpose analyze elemental composition of Martian rocks and soil
scienceDiscipline astrobiology
planetary geochemistry
scientificGoal characterize Martian geology
constrain past habitability of Mars
search for signs of past microbial life
sensitivity highly sensitive
spaceAgency NASA
spatialResolution microscopic scale
supportsInvestigation diagenetic processes on Mars
lithochemistry of Martian rocks
past aqueous environments on Mars
targetBody Mars
uses focused X-ray beam

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.


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