JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

PIXL's Nightlight

Sep 22, 2020
PIXL requires pictures of its rock targets to autonomously position itself. Using artificial intelligence, PIXL relies on the images to determine how far away it is from a target to be scanned.

The Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL), one of seven instruments aboard NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, requires pictures of rock targets to autonomously position itself. Because PIXL works at night, it is equipped with light diodes circling its opening to take pictures of rock targets in the dark. Using artificial intelligence, PIXL relies on the images to determine how far away it is from a target to be scanned.

PIXL and Perseverance were built and are operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of Caltech, in Southern California.

For more information about the mission, go to https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/.

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
  • Perseverance Rover
Spacecraft
  • Perseverance
Instrument
  • Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL)
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Keep Exploring

Perseverance Rover Landing Ellipse in Jezero Crater

Zeroing in on the Target

Perseverance Rover's Entry, Descent and Landing Profile

Sampling Mars 2020 Sample Tube 241

CT Scan of Mars Sample Tube

Armstrong and Rock Box

Installing Perseverance's Sample Tubes

Anatomy of a Sample Tube

Anatomy of a Sample Tube Interior

Mars Perseverance Rover Mission (Humans and Robots Illustration)

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors of JPL
JPL History
Documentary Series
Virtual Tour
Annual Reports
Missions
All
Current
Past
Future
News
All
Earth
Mars
Solar System
Universe
Technology
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Infographics
Engage
JPL and the Community
Lecture Series
Public Tours
Events
Team Competitions
JPL Speakers Bureau
Topics
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Stars and Galaxies
Exoplanets
Technology
JPL Life
For Media
Contacts and Information
Press Kits
More
Asteroid Watch
Robotics at JPL
Subscribe to Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Manager: Veronica McGregor
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Randal Jackson, Naomi Hartono