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SHERLOC
The Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals has a nickname: SHERLOC. Mounted on the rover's robotic arm, SHERLOC uses cameras, spectrometers, and a laser to search for organics and minerals that have been altered by watery environments and may be signs of past microbial life. In addition to its black-and-white context camera, SHERLOC is assisted by WATSON, a colour camera for taking close-up images of rock grains and surface textures.

Tech Specs
Main JobFine-scale detection of minerals, organic molecules and potential biosignatures
LocationMounted on the turret at the end of the robotic arm

Mass    Turret:
             6.86 pounds     (3.11 kilograms)
Body:   3.55 pounds     (1.61 kilograms) body

Power Turret:
             32.2 watts
Body:   16.6 watts

Volume 10.2 by 7.8 by 2.6 inches
               (26.0 by 20.0 by 6.7 centimeters)

Data Return   79.7 Mbits (raw)

Spatial Resolution 2 Cameras
                                Autofocus and Context Imager:
                                10.1 micrometers
                                WATSON Camera:
                                15.9 micrometers
                                1 Laser:
                                100 micrometers

Field of View:         Imaging:
                                0.9 to 0.5 inches (2.3 by 1.5 centimetres)
                                Spectroscopy:
                                7 by 7 millimetres (0.275 inch)

Sherlock Holmes was a fictional detective who solved crimes. He used forensic methods. These include scientific observation and powers of logical reasoning. SHERLOC observes and measures too. It will look for possible evidence of past life on Mars - if any microbes ever existed.

Dr. John H. Watson was Holmes' partner in solving mysteries. WATSON the camera assists SHERLOC as it helps solve mysteries about life on Mars.

With its camera sidekick WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering), SHERLOC even has a modern version of the hand-lens magnifying glass used by the classic British detective!