NASA-funded Study Details One of Oldest Mars Meteorites Ever Found
When a rose-colored meteorite was found in the Sahara Desert in 2022, no one knew how old it was or where it came from. Not until NASA-funded scientists age-dated its minerals did they realize the nearly 2-pound (800-gram) rock was a piece of Mars that formed more than 4.1 billion years ago, making it one […]
A NASA-funded study has shed light on one of the oldest Martian meteorites ever discovered, known as Teghaza 001. This rose-colored rock was unearthed in the Sahara Desert in 2022, and only through rigorous age dating of its minerals did scientists realize its immense age - over 4.1 billion years old. The meteorite, weighing nearly 2 pounds, is one of roughly 435 Martian meteorites found on Earth.
Named after the salt plain in Mali where it was discovered, Teghaza 001 is a unique piece of Mars' ancient crust and formation. A recent paper published in Science reveals that the meteorite holds crucial information about Mars' geological history and water-rock interactions. The meteorite's distinct mineral composition aligns with what NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has observed in the planet's southern highlands.
Scientists believe that Teghaza 001 originated from a location on Mars that has never been sampled before, providing a rare glimpse into the Red Planet's early history.
Written by urgent.news from NASA's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
