The Moroccan Meteorite

Fourteen months ago, a meteorite (named the Tissint meteorite) struck the earth’s surface in Morocco.  After conducting research on the intergalactic traveler, scientists have found that the rock originated from Mars and holds valuable clues to discovering more about the red planet.

 

A study led by University of Alberta researcher Chris Herd revealed traces of Mars’ atmosphere trapped within the meteorite.  According to an interview with ScienceDaily, Herd stated that the gases found inside the Tissint meteorite matched samples collected by NASA’s Mars lander, Viking, in 1976.  Herd and his colleagues estimate that it was formed 600 million years ago as volcanic rock on Mars’ surface until being launched into space due to an asteroid’s impact.  This shock not only hurled the meteorite into space but also sealed Mars’ atmosphere within the rock’s cracks from the intense heat caused by the impact.

Herd and his team estimated that the Tissint meteorite traveled through space anywhere between 700,000 and one million years before finally landing in Morocco over a year ago as only the fifth Martian meteorite landing ever to be witnessed.  This particular rock is valuable because it was collected only a few months after landing, preventing significant contamination or damage from Earth’s atmosphere.

One major finding was the presence of weathering caused by water, suggesting that water did exist at one time on Mars.  Unfortunately, Herd admitted that not enough evidence was found to determine if life existed on Mars.  Nevertheless, the Tissint meteorite provides incredible information on Mars’ atmosphere and greater insight on whether life was once supported on the planet.