Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine the elemental composition of Martian soil
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/PIA24092-MarsRoverPerseverance-AtWorkOnMars-Art-20200922.jpg/400px-PIA24092-MarsRoverPerseverance-AtWorkOnMars-Art-20200922.jpg)
Mars Perseverance rover - PIXL studies a rock (artist concept)
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]
- Provide detailed geochemical assessment of past environments, habitability, and biosignature preservation potential.
- Detect any potential chemical biosignatures that are encountered and characterize the geochemistry of any other types of potential biosignatures detected.
- Provide a detailed geochemical basis for selection of a compelling set of samples for return to Earth.
Gallery
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Mars2020Rover-PIXL-Head-20140731.jpg/600px-Mars2020Rover-PIXL-Head-20140731.jpg)
Perseverance rover - PIXL (31 July 2014).
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/PIA24762-Mars2020Mission-PIXL-FirstChemicalMaps-20210720.jpg/600px-PIA24762-Mars2020Mission-PIXL-FirstChemicalMaps-20210720.jpg)
PIXL − first chemical maps of a single rock on Mars (20 July 2021)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/PIXL_seen_on_Mars_from_the_left_Navcam_on_Perseverance.png/600px-PIXL_seen_on_Mars_from_the_left_Navcam_on_Perseverance.png)
PIXL imaged on Mars by the rover's navigation camera.
Perseverance analyzes Rochette rock (August 2021)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/PIA24831-MarsPerseveranceRover-StudiesRochetteRock-20210827.jpg/139px-PIA24831-MarsPerseveranceRover-StudiesRochetteRock-20210827.jpg)
Rover studies rock
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/PIA24839-MarsPerseveranceRover-RochetteRock-AbrasionPatch-20210827.jpg/139px-PIA24839-MarsPerseveranceRover-RochetteRock-AbrasionPatch-20210827.jpg)
After abrading rock
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/PIA24768-MarsPerseveranceRover-BellegardeAbrasionPatch-20210829.jpg/104px-PIA24768-MarsPerseveranceRover-BellegardeAbrasionPatch-20210829.jpg)
Bellegarde patch
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/PIA24770-MarsPerseveranceRover-Bellegarde-WATSON-20210827.jpg/139px-PIA24770-MarsPerseveranceRover-Bellegarde-WATSON-20210827.jpg)
WATSON view
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/PIA24835-MarsPerseveranceRover-RochetteBellegarde-PIXL-20210910.jpg/126px-PIA24835-MarsPerseveranceRover-RochetteBellegarde-PIXL-20210910.jpg)
PIXL view
Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/PIA24093-MarsRoverPerseverance-PIXL-OpenDustCover-20200922.jpg/150px-PIA24093-MarsRoverPerseverance-PIXL-OpenDustCover-20200922.jpg)
Uncovered
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/PIA24094-MarsPerseveranceRover-PIXL-Hexapod-20200922.jpg/200px-PIA24094-MarsPerseveranceRover-PIXL-Hexapod-20200922.jpg)
Hexapod
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/PIA24095-MarsPerseveranceRover-PIXL-Nightlight-20200922.jpg/150px-PIA24095-MarsPerseveranceRover-PIXL-Nightlight-20200922.jpg)
Nightlight
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Pixl_Callibration_Target.png/155px-Pixl_Callibration_Target.png)
Calibration
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer developed for the Perseverance rover to analyze the chemistry of surface materials.
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
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Scholia_logo.svg/40px-Scholia_logo.svg.png)
Scholia has a topic profile for Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry.
External links
- Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry - NASA Mars
- v
- t
- e
- Perseverance rover
- Ingenuity helicopter (list of flights)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/PIA23962-Mars2020-Rover%26Helicopter-20200714_%28cropped%29.jpg/160px-PIA23962-Mars2020-Rover%26Helicopter-20200714_%28cropped%29.jpg)
landing sites
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- Octavia E. Butler Landing
- Wright Brothers Field
- Cheyava Falls
- Exploration of Mars
Category
Solar System portal