4.1-billion-year-old Martian rock found in Sahara shows signs of water

CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: 4.1-billion-year-old Martian rock found in Sahara shows signs of water

CNN Central News and Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies, Bhopal: A pink-colored stone found in the Sahara Desert has proved to be a major discovery for scientists. Weighing about 800 grams, the stone is in fact a meteorite from Mars and is said to be more than 4.1 billion years old. According to scientists, it contains important signs of the presence of water on ancient Mars and its interaction with rocks. The discovery could help in understanding the early geological history of the Red Planet.

The meteorite was discovered in 2022 near the Teghaza salt flats in the Sahara region of Mali. It has been named “Teghaza 001” after the place where it was found. Initially, its actual age and origin were not clear. Scientists later analyzed its minerals and oxygen isotopes, confirming that it came from Mars.

Scientists associated with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory determined its age by studying various minerals, including zircon crystals. The research found that the rock had been altered by water on Mars about 4.1 billion years ago. This indicates that water played an important role on the Martian surface and in its internal layers during that period.

According to scientists, the meteorite is a rare sample of Mars’ ancient crust. It could help in understanding what the water cycle was like on a planet that later became cold and dry. However, scientists have not yet been able to pinpoint its exact place of origin on Mars.

Hashtags: #WorldInternational #Bhopal #Sahara #Mars #MartianMeteorite #WaterSigns #41BillionYears #MartianRock #Meteorite #41BillionYear