A mass spectrometer was a type of spectrometer, a specialized sensor technology that was able to probe the elemental nature of certain types of matter or energy.
Specifics[]
A mass spectrometer could provide some data more effectively or accurately than a tricorder. For instance, it could carbon date a sample to within a few months and count particle concentrations to the quadrillionths. In the 24th century, these devices were available in starship engineering sections. (Adventures RPG module: Core Rulebook)
History[]
Mass spectrometers detected evidence of the asteroid that impacted Earth 65 million years ago. (TOS novel: First Frontier)
In 2252, damage from a Peliar attack left USS Discovery damaged, unable to use its mass spectrometer, particle counter, or gravity sensor. (DSC novel: Fear Itself)
In 2367, Beverly Crusher was caught in an alternate reality within a collapsing warp bubble. When Crusher saw an unexplained vortex aboard the USS Enterprise-D, Geordi La Forge used a mass spectrometer as part of a comprehensive examination to try to find out what the vortex was. (TNG episode: "Remember Me")
In 2367, La Forge investigated the explosion of a dilithium chamber hatch in engineering. Part of his studies involved using a mass spectrometer to study blast residue. (TNG episode: "The Drumhead")
In 2368, Commander William T. Riker suggested analyzing gelatinous residue that affected replicators and stabilizers with a mass spectrometer. (TNG episode: "Cost of Living")
In 2372, while the Victoria Adams studied a cometary deluge on the planet Cha'Xirrac, the ship was attacked by Klingons. During the fight, a spectrometer fell over on top of Alex Boughamer, damaging his ribs. (DS9 - Day of Honor novel: Armageddon Sky)
Kelvin timeline[]
In 2256, in the aftermath of a plasma explosion during the opening ceremonies of a conference at Starfleet Academy, the Starfleet Corps of Engineers used mass spectrometers and other technology to scan for bomb particulates. (ST - Starfleet Academy novel: The Assassination Game)
Appendices[]
References[]
- TNG episode: "Remember Me"
- TNG episode: "The Drumhead"
- TNG episode: "Cost of Living"
- DS9 episode: "Babel"
- TOS novel: First Frontier
- DS9 - Day of Honor novel: Armageddon Sky
- ST - Starfleet Academy novel: The Assassination Game
- DSC novel: Fear Itself
- Adventures RPG module: Core Rulebook
- Adventures RPG module: The Klingon Empire Core Rulebook
External links[]
- Mass spectrometer article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Mass Spectrometry article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.