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Results of the Alpha-Particle-X-Ray Spectrometer on Board of the Mars Exploration RoversThe Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity landed at Gusev crater and Meridiani Planum. The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) is part of the instrument suite on both rovers. It is equipped with six 244Cm sources which provide x-ray excitation with alpha-particles (PIXE) and x-ray radiation (XRF). This combination allows x-ray spectroscopy of elements from Na to Br in the energy range of 0.9 to 16 keV. X-ray detectors with a high energy resolution of 160 eV at Fe K allow us to separate even closely spaced energy peaks, such as Na, Mg, Al and Si. The APXS is attached to the rover s arm and provides in-situ measurements of the chemical composition of soils, surfaces of rocks and outcrops and their abraded surfaces. This abstract gives an overview of APXS results obtained during the first year of operation on both landing sites.
Document ID
20050169512
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Geller, R.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Zipfel, J.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Brueckner, J.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Dreibus, G.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Lugmair, G.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Rieder, R.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Waenke, H.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Klingelhoefer, G.
(Mainz Univ. Germany)
Clark, B. C.
(Lockheed Martin Corp. Littleton, CO, United States)
Ming, D. W.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI, Part 7
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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