Smoosting for Science: Success in Rangling

Written by Henry Maneski, Ph.D. Student at Purdue University

The persistence team always seeks creative ways to use the tools we have on Mars to maximize the science we do. On the Rover’s hand sits Sherloc instrumentwhich specializes in the detection of organic compounds and is crucial in our pursuit of signs of past microbial life. But finding these organic substances is not easy. The upper surface of most rocks of findings on Mars was exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun and the long -term oxidative potential of the atmosphere, and both have the potential to break down organic compounds. For this reason, it is ideal to get Sherloc measurements of “fresh” rock. Last week Rover appointed a snake appropriately “Green Garden”, resulting in a fresh pile of drilling. In order to prepare this material for the Sherloc instrument, for which a smooth area is needed to achieve a measurement, the scientific team did something on Mars for the first time: Smousshed it!

Using the contact sensor of our sampling system, designed to indicate when our drill touches the rock while preparing to take the nucleus, the persistence pressed in a pile of tail, compacting it into a flat, stable Sherloc patch for research. This ino -anointing approach worked perfectly! The resulting Sherloc spectral scanning of these fresh tails – which include serpentine, a mineral of key astrobiological interest – was successful. These flattened drills are a great example of how a little extraordinary (or outside this world!) Thinking helps us maximize science on Mars. With this success behind us, the Rover rolls toward the west to the heart “Hill Witch Hazel”, Where more ancient rocks – and who knows what surprises – is waiting!