A5045853043- Planetary Science and Exploration
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Advanced X-ray and CT Imaging
- Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- X-ray Diffraction in Crystallography
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Analytical chemistry methods development
- Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Radiation Shielding Materials Analysis
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Mineral Processing and Grinding
- Marine and environmental studies
Texas A&M University
2024-2025
Mitchell Institute
2024
Earth and Space Research
2018-2023
University of Washington
2018-2023
University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory
2018-2022
The geological units on the floor of Jezero crater, Mars, are part a wider regional stratigraphy olivine-rich rocks, which extends well beyond crater. We investigated petrology olivine and carbonate-bearing rocks Séítah formation in Jezero. Using multispectral images x-ray fluorescence data, acquired by Perseverance rover, we performed petrographic analysis Bastide Brac outcrops within this unit. found that these composed igneous rock, moderately altered aqueous fluid. mainly made...
Collocated crystal sizes and mineral identities are critical for interpreting textural relationships in rocks testing geological hypotheses, but it has been previously impossible to unambiguously constrain these properties using situ instruments on Mars rovers. Here, we demonstrate that diffracted fluoresced x-rays detected by the PIXL instrument (an x-ray fluorescence microscope Perseverance rover) provide information about presence or absence of coherent crystalline domains various...
Adoption of a robust X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy quantification and spectrum fitting routine calls for careful consideration on the inner workings databases incorporated in its architecture. For analysis micro-XRF data returned from Planetary Instrument Lithochemistry (PIXL), integrated Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, University Washington National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) have invested production an in-house software package, PIQUANT, capable supporting quantitative...
Late-stage Ca-sulfate–filled fractures are common on Mars. Notably, the Shenandoah formation in western edge of Jezero crater preserves a variety Ca-sulfate minerals fine-grained siliciclastic rocks explored by Perseverance rover. However, depositional environment and timing these sulfates unknown. To address this outstanding problem, we developed technique to map crystal orientations situ at two stratigraphically similar locations formation, allowing us constrain burial depth...
The Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) is a rasterable focused-beam fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer mounted on the arm of National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. To ensure that PIXL would be capable performing accurate in-flight compositional analysis martian targets, in situ, an elemental calibration was performed pre-flight flight instrument simulated environment. details this calibration, implications measuring unknown...
Late-stage Ca-sulfate-filled fractures are common on Mars. Notably, the Shenandoah formation in western edge of Jezero crater preserves a variety Ca-sulfate minerals fine-grained siliciclastic rocks explored by Perseverance rover. However, depositional environment and timing these sulfates is unknown. To address this outstanding problem, we developed new technique to map crystal textures situ at two stratigraphically similar locations formation, allowing us constrain burial depth...
<title>Abstract</title> Phosphorus is an essential component for life, and in-situ identification of phosphate minerals that formed in aqueous conditions directly contributes toward one the main goals Mars 2020 Perseverance rover: to seek signs ancient habitable environments. In Jezero crater, proximity science analyses within a conglomerate outcrop, “Onahu” demonstrate presence rare Fe3+-bearing (likely beraunite, metavivianite, ferrolaueite, and/or santabarbaraite) embedded carbonate-rich...
The Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) is a micro-focus fluorescence spectrometer mounted on the robotic arm of NASA's Perseverance rover. PIXL will acquire high spatial resolution observations rock and soil chemistry, rapidly analyzing elemental chemistry target surface. In 10 seconds, can use its powerful 120 micrometer diameter beam to analyze single, sand-sized grain with enough sensitivity detect major minor rock-forming elements, as well many trace elements. Over...