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Planetary Environments Laboratory
Sciences and Exploration Directorate - NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

X-Ray Lab (S270)

X-Ray Lab (S270)

Lab Manager: Mike Thorpe

The X-Ray lab featuring the Bruker M4 Tornado XRF instrument and the Bruker D8 Discover X-Ray Diffractometer

The Terra X-Ray Diffractometer in a orange hard case

The X-Ray Mineralogy Laboratory aims to understand the formation, evolution, and habitability of planetary environments through studies of mineralogy (with X-Ray Diffraction) and chemistry (with X-Ray Fluorescence analyses) of planetary analog rocks, minerals, and sediments. Instruments in this room include:

  • Bruker D8 X-Ray Diffractometer - Cu Kα radiation; rotation, XYZ, and heating stages
  • Bruker M4 Tornado X-Ray Fluorescence instrument - Rh Kα radiation; 1 mm beam diameter
  • Terra X-Ray Diffractometer - Co Kα radiation; 5-55° 2theta; this instrument is similar to the CheMin instrument on the Curiosity rover

Key Staff
Christine Knudson*
Amy McAdam*
Mike Thorpe*

*Denotes lab POC

Contact Us

For general inquiries about the Planetary Environments Laboratory .

Charles Malespin

Chief

301-614-6042 charles.a.malespin@nasa.gov
General inquiries about the scientific programs at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center may be directed to the Office of Public Affairs at 1.301.286.8955.