Gamma ray spectrometer

The Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS) uses the gamma-ray part of the spectrum to look for the presence of 20 elements from the periodic table, and is used in the exploration of Mars. Its neutron detectors look for water and ice in the soil by measuring neutrons. It is able to measure the abundance and distribution of about 20 primary elements of the periodic table, including silicon, oxygen, iron, magnesium, potassium, aluminum, calcium, sulfur, and carbon. Knowing what elements are at or near the surface will give detailed information about how Mars has changed over time. To determine the elemental makeup of the Martian surface, the experiment uses gamma ray spectrometer and two neutron detectors.

Related Topics:
Gamma-ray - Periodic table - Mars - Neutron - Silicon - Oxygen - Iron - Magnesium - Potassium - Aluminum - Calcium - Sulfur - Carbon - Spectrometer

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GRS supplies data on the distribution and abundance of chemical elements, much as the Lunar Prospector mission did on the moon. In this case, the chemical element thorium was mapped, with higher concentrations shown in yellow/orange/red in the left-hand side.

Related Topics:
Lunar Prospector - Thorium

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