Instrument class · Elemental composition; water/ice
Gamma-Ray & Neutron Spectrometer
An instrument that measures the gamma rays and neutrons emitted by a surface under cosmic-ray bombardment, revealing elemental composition — and, through neutrons, the presence of water or ice.
Instruments of this class
MESSENGER's spectrometer, which measured the elemental composition of Mercury's surface and helped confirm water ice in its permanently shadowed polar craters.
Knowledge connections
- Group includesMESSENGER Gamma-Ray & Neutron Spectrometer
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.