Results from the RAT Magnet Experiment on Spirit and Opportunity

Details Results from the RAT Magnet Experiment on Spirit and Opportunity Results from the RAT Magnet Experiment on Spirit and Opportunity

Sep 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.6110g&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #61.10; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.604

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Scientific paper

The Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) is one of the four payload elements that are mounted to the end of the robotic arm onboard the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER). The RAT is a mechanism that can grind circular depressions several millimeters into the Martian rocks. The RAT magnet experiment is composed of four permanent magnets of different strengths built into the revolve housing cap plate of the RAT. Magnetic material liberated by the grinding process will be attracted by these magnets.
At Gusev crater 14 different grindings were performed over 416 sols. During grinding into rocks in the plains (Adirondack, Humphrey, Mazatzal) a substantial amount of homogeneous, dark-gray material accumulated on the magnets. Based on data from the Mössbauer (MB) spectrometer the rocks are known to contain the magnetic material (Ti) magnetite.
During grindings into the Eagle crater outcrop at Meridiani Planum strongly magnetic material was captured by the RAT magnets. The material is reddish and appears to be largely homogeneous. The total amount of collected material is slightly smaller as compared to the RAT magnet experiment on Spirit. Also no strongly magnetic, iron containing mineral phase has been identified by MB spectroscopy. Based on Pancam observations of the RAT magnets as well as other data we suggest that the Meridiani outcrops contains < 0.5 wt.% of a ferrimagnetic phase, possibly partly oxidized magnetite.

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