Lee Saper

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Sahara meteorite dated to 4.1 billion years, sampling ancient Martian crust

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Of roughly 435 known Martian meteorites, almost all formed within the last 2.4 billion years. Teghaza 001, 798.5 grams of rock picked up in the Sahara in Mali in 2022, crystallized at least 4.1 billion years ago. Most of the mass is now held by the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum.

Updated Oct 31

Notable Quotes

"The findings lend support to the idea that early Mars had the necessary ingredients and conditions to harbor life, but do not directly answer the question of whether there was life on Mars."

from Sahara meteorite dated to 4.1 billion years, sampling ancient Martian crust · Updated Oct 31

"Interactions of water and rock and maybe even an imprint of the Martian atmosphere as it was losing water."

from Sahara meteorite dated to 4.1 billion years, sampling ancient Martian crust · Updated Oct 31