Ocean Optics Spectrometers Head to Mars

24-Jan-2012 - USA

Three Ocean Optics  instruments have begun their eight month journey to Mars. Customized HR2000 spectrometers are a part of the ChemCam unit on NASA’s Mars Science Lab rover, Curiosity, launched November 26, 2011 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Ocean Optics supplied three modular HR2000 high-resolution miniature fiber optic spectrometers that were configured for analysis of Martian rock and soil composition using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). A laser mounted to the mast unit of the ChemCam instrument can fire at targets up to nine meters away, generating a series of laser pulses, the light from which is collected for the LIBS analysis.

Each ChemCam spectrometer is configured to detect elemental signatures over a different wavelength of light: 240-336 nm, 380-470 nm, and 470-850 nm. The use of the three spectrometers simplifies the design and creates redundancy, as many elements under study have spectral lines in more than one of the spectral ranges covered by the three units.

The Curiosity Rover has been described by NASA as having the most advanced scientific instrumentation ever used to study the surface of Mars. With the analysis enabled by Ocean Optics’ equipment, sample analysis is exponentially faster. On prior missions, the time required to determine composition of a single sample was two to three days; ChemCam’s output is anticipated to be one dozen compositional measurements per day.

Other news from the department science

These products might interest you

SPECORD PLUS

SPECORD PLUS by Analytik Jena

SPECORD PLUS Series - Maximum precision in UV/Vis

The modern classic guarantees the highest quality

contrAA 800

contrAA 800 by Analytik Jena

contrAA 800 Series – Atomic Absorption. Redefined

The best of classical atomic absorption and ICP-OES spectrometry are combined in the contrAA 800

ICP-OES spectrometer
ZEEnit

ZEEnit by Analytik Jena

Zeeman Technology for Maximum Sensitivity – Matching any Analytical Problem

Transverse-heated graphite furnace for optimum atomization conditions and high sample throughput

AAS spectrometers
Microspectrometer

Microspectrometer by Hamamatsu Photonics

Ultra-compact microspectrometer for versatile applications

Precise Raman, UV/VIS and NIR measurements in portable devices

microspectrometers
PlasmaQuant 9100

PlasmaQuant 9100 by Analytik Jena

PlasmaQuant 9100 Series of ICP-OES Instruments

Reveal the Details That Matter

ICP-OES spectrometer
INVENIO

INVENIO by Bruker

FT-IR spectrometer of the future: INVENIO

Freely upgradeable and configurable FT-IR spectrometer

FTIR spectrometers
PlasmaQuant MS Elite

PlasmaQuant MS Elite by Analytik Jena

LC-ICP-MS Is the Key to the World of Elemental Species

Highest Sensitivity and Lowest Detection Limits with PlasmaQuant MS Series and PQ LC

novAA®  800

novAA® 800 by Analytik Jena

The Analyzer 4 You - novAA 800-Series

The reliable all-rounder, making routine analysis efficient and cost-effective

fluidlab R-300 | Cell Counter & Spectrometer

fluidlab R-300 | Cell Counter & Spectrometer by anvajo

fluidlab R-300 | Cell Counter & Spectrometer

The first portable device that combines Cell Counting and Spectrometry

cell analyzers
Quantaurus-QY

Quantaurus-QY by Hamamatsu Photonics

High-speed UV/NIR photoluminescence spectrometer

Precise quantum yield measurements in milliseconds without reference standards

fluorescence spectrometers
FastTrack™

FastTrack™ by Mettler-Toledo

FastTrack UV/VIS Spectroscopy - Speed Up Your Measurements

Fast, reliable & efficient measurements with traceable accuracy in a small footprint

UV/VIS spectrophotometers
Loading...

Most read news

More news from our other portals

Under the magnifying glass: The world of microscopy

See the theme worlds for related content

Topic World Spectroscopy

Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!

30+ products
5+ whitepaper
30+ brochures
View topic world
Topic World Spectroscopy

Topic World Spectroscopy

Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!

30+ products
5+ whitepaper
30+ brochures