Identifying Tools of the Rover

Identification How do humans identify? How can these skills be used by rover?

Camera Panoramic Camera (Pancam) Located on top of the rover Able to rotate 360° Takes wide pictures of mars environment

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Grinder Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) Able to grind through rocks Allows scientists to see the interior composition This lets them test multiple layers of rock Interior of rock can be very different from exterior

Microscopic Imager Microscopic Imager (MI) Located on the arm of the rover Combination of camera and microscope Allows rover to closely examine rocks and soils

Spectrometers Rovers use spectrometers to identify materials They use properties of light to compare an unknown material to known ones These properties are wavelengths of colors and intensity

Light Light is emitted from a source and then travels in waves Travels in straight paths until it is Reflected Refracted Transmitted

Visible Light Spectrum Visible light spectrum - colors in rainbow Colors are formed by different wavelengths of light Can show this by refracting light with prism

Prism Refracted Light

Spectral Lines of Elements When elements are heated they emit light

Our Sample From Rover What is the element that the rover found? Compare to known elements