Researchers have identified more meteorites that originated on Mars. The rocks are chunks of the Martian surface that were hurled into space when an asteroid struck the Red Planet. The rocks drifted through space until gravity pulled them earthward.
The five gray-green rocks were found in the deserts of Oman, on the Arabian Peninsula. Martian meteorites have been discovered in a variety of locations, but most have been gathered in deserts or in Antarctica, where they stand out against the surface.
Martian meteorites made headlines in 1996 when a NASA team announced they had discovered microscopic fossils inside one of them -- evidence of past life on Mars. The finding has been vigorously debated ever since. The search for past or present life on Mars is a priority for astrobiology.
Jul 20, 2004 | SCIENCE
New Martian Meteorite Found in Antarctica
(NASA) - Researchers have uncovered a piece of Mars in Antarctica.
Oct 17, 2002 | SCIENCE
Looking for Carbonates in Dry Places
(Astrobiology Magazine) - A recent discovery may challenge the idea that carbonates could be a sign of past water on other planets.
Aug 14, 2002 | SCIENCE
Continuing Search for Ancient Martian Life
(Astrobiology Magazine) - Researchers have published their latest evidence for ancient microbes in a meteorite from Mars.
May 20, 2002 | SCIENCE
Mars Meteorite's Link to Life Questioned
(Space.com) - A pair of scientists argue that magnetite crystals in a Mars meteorite weren't produced by microorganisms.
May 10, 2002 | SCIENCE
Two More Martian Meteorites Found in Africa
(NASA) - The discovery brings the number of known chunks of Mars on Earth to 26.
Mar 20, 2002 | SCIENCE
No Knockouts in Martian Meteorite Showdown
(Sky and Telescope) - Two teams of scientists argue that magnetite crystals in a Mars meteorite are not necessarily evidence of life.
Mar 18, 2002 | SCIENCE
A Pile of Gravel from Mars
(NASA) - Scientists have confirmed that a jumble of stones is what's left of a Martian meteorite.
Feb 07, 2002 | SCIENCE
More Pieces of Mars Found
(Discovery) - Scientists have discovered five new Martian meteorites in recent weeks, bringing the number of known meteorites from Mars to 24.
Dec 07, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Europe Heads for Mars
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - The Beagle 2, a compact, lightweight lander carried on the European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express orbiter, will search for signs of life on the Red Planet.
Dec 05, 2001 | SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGIES
Debate Rages on over Evidence of Mars Life in Meteorite
(Spaceflight Now) - Scientists argue the significance of magnetic crystals found inside Martian meteorite ALH 84001.
Oct 29, 2001 | SCIENCE
New Mars Meteorite Found in Morocco
(NASA) - The discovery brings the total number of known meteorites from Mars to 19.
Aug 29, 2001 | SCIENCE
From Mars to Earth in a Meteorite?
(Scientific American) - A study suggests that the interior of a meteorite from Mars remained cool enough to transport life to Earth.
Jul 11, 2001 | SCIENCE
How Small Can Life Be?
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - As advanced microscopes enable us to peer deeper into the realms of inner space, biologists have been faced with a vexing question: Is there a size limit on life?
Jun 19, 2001 | SCIENCE
Mars Meteorite Discovered in Oman Desert
(CNN) - The meteorite, known as SAU 094, could help determine if life ever existed on Mars.
Jun 19, 2001 | SCIENCE
Martian Meteorite May Contain Water
(BBC) - Scientists debate whether meteorite NWA 817 was exposed to water on Mars or after it fell to Earth
Apr 30, 2001 | SCIENCE
Does the Famous Martian Meteorite Really Point to Life?
(NASA/Space.com) - Debate continues over whether Martian meteorite ALH84001 contains evidence of ancient life on Mars.
Feb 26, 2001 | SCIENCE
New evidence of ancient life on Mars
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - New evidence from a Martian meteorite strengthens the case that microorganisms once existed on Mars.
Jan 30, 2001 | SCIENCE
Clues to sources of Martian water
(NY Times [registration required]) - Evidence from a Martian meteorite suggests that water on the surface of ancient Mars originally came from within the planet.
Nov 07, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Group fears Mars sample return might contaminate Earth
(CNN) - Planetary protection is one of astrobiology's primary objectives.
Oct 30, 2000 | SCIENCE
The new case for panspermia
(Space.com) - The theory that microscopic life can spread from planet to planet is hotly contested. This feature article reviews the history of that debate.
May 03, 2000 | SCIENCE, EDUCATION
Astronauts hunt microbes and meteorites at the South Pole
(Science@NASA) - Astrobiologists and astronauts -- including Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 -- traveled to Antarctica in January to study microbial life there. Their findings will shed light on whether life may exist on frozen bodies such as Mars and Europa.
Mar 01, 2000 | SCIENCE
Sulfur in meteorites offers no evidence of Mars life
(SpaceViews) - Scientists claim that that sulfur concentrations found in Martian meteorites are the result of atmospheric processes and not of life on Mars. Sulfur concentrations may not be an effective biomarker.
Jan 18, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Robot to hunt for meteorites
(NY Times [free regis. req'd]) - Nomad, a four-wheeled rover, will use artificial intelligence to identify meteorites in Antarctica.
Oct 01, 1999 | SCIENCE
Dating of meteorite mineral leaves Mars-life hypothesis alive
(space.com) - A team of NASA scientists has previously claimed that a meteorite from Mars holds fossils of microbes. Analysis now reveals that the chunk of Mars' surface was blown into space at a time when the planet may have been warm, wet, and more hospitable to life.
Aug 20, 1999 | SCIENCE
Amino acids in Martian meteorite may be terrestrial contamination
(SpaceViews) - The findings call into question evidence of life found in another Mars meteorite.
