Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2025

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
Geological, multispectral, and meteorological imaging results from the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover in Jezero crater
James F Bell1, Justin N Maki2, Sanna Alwmark3,4
1School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
Abstract:
Perseverance's Mastcam-Z instrument provides high-resolution stereo and multispectral images with a unique combination of spatial resolution, spatial coverage, and wavelength coverage along the rover's traverse in Jezero crater, Mars. Images reveal rocks consistent with an igneous (including volcanic and/or volcaniclastic) and/or impactite origin and limited aqueous alteration, including polygonally fractured rocks with weathered coatings; massive boulder-forming bedrock consisting of mafic silicates, ferric oxides, and/or iron-bearing alteration minerals; and coarsely layered outcrops dominated by olivine. Pyroxene dominates the iron-bearing mineralogy in the fine-grained regolith, while olivine dominates the coarse-grained regolith. Solar and atmospheric imaging observations show significant intra- and intersol variations in dust optical depth and water ice clouds, as well as unique examples of boundary layer vortex action from both natural (dust devil) and Ingenuity helicopter-induced dust lifting. High-resolution stereo imaging also provides geologic context for rover operations, other instrument observations, and sample selection, characterization, and confirmation.
Related Concept Videos
Precipitation Gravimetry
In determining nickel by gravimetric analysis, a precipitant of ethanolic dimethylglyoxime is added to a hot nickel salt solution. This is quickly followed by the dropwise addition of dilute ammonia solution until precipitation occurs. A...
Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Infrared Spectroscopy: Overview
The ATR process begins by directing a beam...
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
X-ray Imaging
Topographic Surveying and Contours
Minerals
Major...

