Brock University

Published purpose

Rock chemistries and micro-textures resolvable by the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) instrument onboard the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover allow integrated rock histories to be resolved. The science objectives of this proposal focus on different rock components, including (1) igneous starting materials, (2) secondary salts and alteration products, (3) dust and coatings that accumulate at the Mars surface. Key to understanding the history is the Mineralogical make up, grain size and shape, rock cements cementing agents. This project addresses these possible contributions (dust, igneous precursor, and secondary alteration) to rock compositions analyzed by the Mars 2020 rover in Jezero Crater by micro-textural geochemical and mineralogical data. These studies will aid in achieving the Mars 2020 mission goals of assessing the Jezero rocks for potential habitability and to aid in sample selection.