Scientists have discovered one of the oldest Martian rocks on Earth, and its analysis has revealed that water was present on the surface of Mars approximately 4.1 billion years ago.
The rare, pinkish meteorite has been named ‘Taazgha 001’. According to researchers, its chemical composition differs from that of other meteorites found from Mars, attracting the attention of scientists.
Planetary scientist Yang Liu, affiliated with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the lead author of the study, said that this rare rock provides a unique opportunity to understand the early crust and internal structure of Mars.
She said that the rock dates back to a period when life was beginning to emerge on Earth. Its scientific analysis can also provide important information about the early environment of Mars and the geographical conditions that existed there.
According to researchers, this meteorite was formed from molten material, known as magma, originating from the interior of Mars, specifically its mantle. This material later cooled and turned into rock, becoming part of the planet’s outer crust.
The study states that the rock’s unique chemical composition indicates that it originated from a region of Mars that could not previously be studied with the help of meteorites discovered so far.
The research was published on October 29 in the renowned scientific journal ‘Science’. According to experts, this discovery could help improve understanding of the early history of Mars, its internal and external structure, and the presence of water on the planet billions of years ago.
