The first X-ray diffraction measurements ever taken of Mars could reveal secrets of the geological history of the Red Planet.
The Curiosity rover on Mars carries ten experiments, one of which is CheMin, a X-ray diffraction/X-ray fluorescence (XRD/XRF) instrument designed to carry out high-energy experiments on the surface of the tawny world.
The Mars Science Laboratory, commonly known as Curiosity, set down in Gale Crater in 2012. This region displayed layered patterns of rocks in outcroppings, suggesting a complicated geological history that could include evidence of ancient water, and possibly, life.
Now traveling up Aeolis Mons, also called Mount Sharp, the roving laboratory is taking its first samples of the alien mountain. This feature is the central peak within Gale Crater.
The Curiosity rover has traveled nearly six miles across the surface of Mars since its arrival on that alien world three years ago.
CheMin has analyzed five samples so far. Three of these were from samples drilled from mudstone, one collected from sandstone, and one specimen of soil.
Study of the Martial soil and rocks revealed a complex composition of materials, including some material apparently influenced by the action of water. These included detection of clays, and hydrated sulfur-based molecules.
"Data obtained so far has already provided new insights into processes on Mars, and the instrument promises to return data that will answer numerous questions and shed further light on the history of the Gale crater," the International Union of Crystallography reported on their Web site.
CheMin is roughly the size as a show box, and is designed of carrying out X-ray experiments on rock and soil samples in the harsh Martian atmosphere. The tiny amount of space available in the system, as well as the small sample sizes, tends to hamper measurements made with the device. Researchers are currently designing a new version of the experiment for future landers that will be able to carry out more detailed experiments.
Investigators believe study of the X-ray data from Mars will provide new insights into the history of the planet, including whether or not primitive life may have once existed on the alien world. The experiment may even be able to detect the remains of microscopic life, which perished long ago.
The first X-ray diffraction experiments performed on-board the Mars Science Laboratory took place 100 years after the discovery of the process by German physicist Max von Laue.
X-ray crystal analysis of the Martian surface was detailed in an article published by the International Union of Crystallography.
