The Curiosity rover has a whole suite of chemistry tools on board. The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) tool is probably the coolest. This instrument breaks down rocks and bits of soil by firing a (freaking) laser at the target. The elements that made up that rock are then detected by atomic emission spectroscopy. Curiosity also contains an alpha particle (He²⁺ ion) X-ray spectrometer (APXS), which is also used to measure what elements make up a sample. If the NASA scientists want to know more than just what elements make up a sample, they can use the quadruple mass spectrometer, which can measure the mass of ions of gases and organic compounds.