Scientists find unique, water-rich Martian meteorite
Posted: Fri, Jan 4, 2013, 5:47 AM ET (1047 GMT)
A meteorite discovered in Africa over a year ago is from Mars, but is unlike any other Martian meteorite found to date, scientists reported this week. The meteorite, designated NWA 7034 and nicknamed "Black Beauty," was found in the Sahara Desert in 2011. Its composition matches closely with rocks on the surface of Mars, but is different from other "SNC" Martian meteorites, leading scientists to conclude this meteorite is the first from the Martian crust. NWA 7034 formed about 2.1 billion years ago, around the beginning of the most recent geologic period on Mars. The meteorite also contains more than 10 times as much water as other Martian meteorites, perhaps due to interaction with water in the Martian crust.
A meteorite discovered in Africa over a year ago is from Mars, but is unlike any other Martian meteorite found to date, scientists reported this week. The meteorite, designated NWA 7034 and nicknamed "Black Beauty," was found in the Sahara Desert in 2011. Its composition matches closely with rocks on the surface of Mars, but is different from other "SNC" Martian meteorites, leading scientists to conclude this meteorite is the first from the Martian crust. NWA 7034 formed about 2.1 billion years ago, around the beginning of the most recent geologic period on Mars. The meteorite also contains more than 10 times as much water as other Martian meteorites, perhaps due to interaction with water in the Martian crust.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, May 20
Cinepix joins space-shoot Newcomers
Screen Daily — 8:29 pm ET (0029 GMT) NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot visiting Marshall Space Flight Center Wednesday
Huntsville Times — 8:28 pm ET (0028 GMT) Washington is stinting NASA, as usual
Houston Chronicle — 8:27 pm ET (0027 GMT) Hangar One for rent: no NASA ties needed
Mountain View (CA) Voice — 8:26 pm ET (0026 GMT) NASA tech chief takes to Reddit for a spacey ‘Ask Me Anything’ session
VentureBeat — 8:26 pm ET (0026 GMT) |
