Spectroscopy is good for all kinds of things. Spectroscopy recently confirmed the presence of hematite at Opportunity's landing site.

Here's the Mossbauer Spectrometer (used to identify mineral constituents of rocks) onboard the rovers:

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/spacecraft_instru_mossbr.html

This spectrometer -- quite a bit smaller than most -- would fit in the palm of your hand.

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