Sahara meteorite identified as 4.1-billion-year-old fragment of Mars
The discovery of the Teghaza 001 meteorite provides evidence of ancient water on the Martian surface during the planet's early history.
Scientists have identified a rare meteorite found in the Sahara Desert as a 4.1-billion-year-old fragment of Mars, according to Moneycontrol. The meteorite, named Teghaza 001 after an abandoned salt-mining settlement in Mali, is among the oldest Martian rocks ever found on Earth.
The reddish fragment was discovered in the Sahara four years ago. While initially classified as a shergottite, researchers noticed unusual zircon crystals during examination. Using uranium isotope ratios, scientists determined the crystals were approximately 4.1 billion years old.
The meteorite contains minerals that provide evidence of water on Mars during its early history. An earlier study by the same researchers found water molecules preserved inside apatite, suggesting water was abundant when the rock formed, though the planet had begun losing much of it.
The sample's composition could help scientists understand the early crust and mantle of Mars. Yang Liu, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and lead author of the study, said it is very rare to find something this old.
The meteorite was likely blasted into space after another meteorite struck Mars. A fragment weighing nearly 2 pounds survived atmospheric entry and subsequently broke into eight pieces.
By comparing the mineral composition with data from robotic spacecraft, the research team identified 13 possible locations on Mars from which the meteorite could have originated, though its exact origin remains unconfirmed.