SuperCam

About:

• Called SuperCam, the robot is used for studying mineralogy and chemistry from up to about 7 metres away. It might help scientists find signs of fossilised microbial life on Mars.
  
  
• From more than 7 m away, SuperCam can fire a laser to study rock targets smaller than a pencil point. That lets the rover study spots it can’t reach with its arm.
  
  
• SuperCam looks at rock textures and chemicals to find those that formed or changed in water on Mars long ago.
  
  
• SuperCam includes a microphone so scientists can listen each time the laser hits a target. The popping sound created by the laser subtly changes depending on a rock’s material properties.
  
  
• The Mars 2020 rover marks the third time this particular microphone design will go to the Red Planet.