Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Curiosity Analyzes First Taste of Martian Soil


Curiosity Analyzes First Taste of Martian Soil

This graphic shows results of the first analysis of Martian soil by the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) experiment on NASA's Curiosity rover. The image reveals the presence of crystalline feldspar, pyroxenes and olivine mixed with some amorphous (non-crystalline) material.

The Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument inside NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has made the first definitive inventory of minerals present in a sample of Martian soil. The analysis showing a composition similar to that of volcanic-origin soils in Hawaii is filling gaps and adding confidence in earlier estimates of the mineralogical makeup of the dust and fine sand widespread on the Red Planet.

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