Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals (SHERLOC) – NASA – NASA Mars Exploration

Mars 2020's SHERLOC Instrument: A close-up view of an engineering model of SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals), one the instruments aboard NASA's Perseverance Mars rover. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Full image and caption

The Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals has a nickname: SHERLOC. Mounted on the rover's robotic arm, SHERLOC uses cameras, spectrometers, and a laser to search for organics and minerals that have been altered by watery environments and may be signs of past microbial life. In addition to its black-and-white context camera, SHERLOC is assisted by WATSON, a color camera for taking close-up images of rock grains and surface textures.

Turret: 6.86 pounds (3.11 kilograms)

Body: 3.55 pounds (1.61 kilograms) body

Turret: 32.2 watts

Body: 16.6 watts

10.2 by 7.8 by 2.6 inches (26.0 by 20.0 by 6.7 centimeters)

2 Cameras

Autofocus and Context Imager: 10.1 micrometers

WATSON Camera: 15.9 micrometers

1 Laser: 100 micrometers

Imaging: 0.9 to 0.5 inches (2.3 by 1.5 centimeters)

Spectroscopy: 7 by 7 millimeters (0.275 inch)

"Key, driving questions are whether Mars is or was ever inhabited, and if not, why not? The SHERLOC investigation will advance the understanding of Martian geologic history and identify its past biologic potential."

SHERLOC Works All Shifts SHERLOC operates day or night.

SHERLOC: No Touch Required Perseverance places SHERLOC about two inches above its target to gather data. That way, it is close, but doesn't contaminate the scene of the investigation.

SHERLOC Has an Eye for Detail SHERLOC has a magnifying glass just like the fictional detective to see fine detail.

SHERLOC Collects Clues SHERLOC uses ultraviolet laser light to spot organic chemicals in much the same way modern crime scene investigators look for forensic clues.

SHERLOC Tests Spacesuits SHERLOC carries small pieces of spacesuit material. It targets them to test its accuracy and to see how they hold up in the harsh Martian environment.

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Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals (SHERLOC) - NASA - NASA Mars Exploration