It is using its mast-mounted colour cameras and laser spectrometer, together with its arm-held "hand lens" camera and X-ray spectrometer, to try to find the best drill candidate.

BBC: Curiosity Mars rover deploys its rock brush

This outcrop contains yet finer grains but it is cut through with veins that the rover's ChemCam laser spectrometer indicates hold precipitated minerals - most likely hydrated calcium sulphate, possibly bassinite or gypsum.

BBC: Curiosity Mars rover eyes rock drill site

Sensors include visible spectrum cameras, 3D laser scanners and a spectrometer analysis (just to name a few) that creates an accurate analysis of waste which has not been possible with mechanical technology or human labor before.

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X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometer, a magnetometer and a laser range-finder, as well as good, old-fashioned digital photography.

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The functioning equipment on the probe includes a device to measure the asteroid's magnetism, a spectrometer to examine its composition, an electronic camera and a laser rangefinder to survey its precise shape.

BBC: At a glance: Asteroid touchdown