4.1 billion-year-old fragment of Mars found in the Sahara

Key Points:

• Scientists have identified Teghaza 001, one of the oldest Martian meteorites ever found on Earth, dating back at least 4.1 billion years and revealing evidence that water altered Mars' crust in its early history.
• The meteorite, discovered in Mali in 2022, has a unique chemical composition and contains zircon crystals that enabled precise dating, placing its formation within the first 400 million years of Mars' existence.
• Teghaza 001's basalt composition and unusual mineral and oxygen isotope ratios suggest it originated from a previously unsampled area of Mars' southern highlands and interacted with water, providing insights into why Mars became dry while Earth remained habitable.
• A new laser-based dating method significantly sped up the analysis process, allowing researchers to study the meteorite's tiny grains more efficiently and preserve more material for future research.
• The discovery has generated excitement in the scientific community and among collectors, as the meteorite offers a rare glimpse into the early Martian crust and mantle, advancing understanding of planetary formation and habitability.