Allan Hills 77005

Allan Hills 77005
Exterior
Interior
Meteorite ALH-77005
TypeAchondrite (unique), lherzolite
ClanMartian meteorite
Composition~55% olivine, ~35% pyroxene, ~8% maskelynite and ~2% opaques
Shock stageS6
Weathering gradeA
CountryAntarctica
RegionAllan Hills
Coordinates76°43′00″S 159°40′00″E / 76.71667°S 159.66667°E / -76.71667; 159.66667
Observed fallNo
Found date29 December 1977 (Japanese National Institute of Polar Research mission)
TKW482.5 g
Related media on Wikimedia Commons

Allan Hills 77005 (also known as Allan Hills A77005, ALHA77005, ALH77005 and ALH-77005) is a Martian meteorite that was found in the Allan Hills of Antarctica in 1977 by a Japanese National Institute of Polar Research mission team and ANSMET. Like other members of the group of SNCs (shergottite, nakhlite, chassignite), ALH-77005 is thought to be from Mars.

Description

On discovery, the mass of ALH-77005 was 482.5 g (1.064 lb). Initial geological examination determined that the meteorite was composed of ~55% olivine, ~35% pyroxene, ~8% maskelynite and ~2% opaques.

In March 2019, researchers reported the possibility of biosignatures in this Martian meteorite based on its microtexture and morphology as detected with optical microscopy and FTIR-ATR microscopy, and on the detection of mineralized organic compounds, suggesting that microbial life could have existed on the planet Mars. More broadly, and as a result of their studies, the researchers suggest Solar System materials should be carefully studied to determine whether there may be signs of microbial forms within other space rocks as well.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Staff (31 March 2019). "Meteoritical Bulletin Database: Allan Hills 77005". Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  2. ↑ McSween Jr, Harry Y.; et al. (1 November 1979). "Petrogenetic relationship between Allan Hills 77005 and other achondrites". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 45 (2): 275–284. Bibcode:1979E&PSL..45..275M. doi:10.1016/0012-821X(79)90129-8.
  3. 1 2 Meyer, C - Martian Meteorite Compendium (2012). "ALH77005 - 482grams - Intermediate Lherzolitic Shergottite" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  4. ↑ Allan Hills A77005. The Meteoritical Society. Accessed on April 8, 2019. Quote: The meteorite has been severely shocked, as is shown by the presence of maskelynite, undulose extinction in the pyroxene, and occasional areas of apparent shock melting.
  5. 1 2 3 Gyollai, Ildikó; et al. (29 March 2019). "Mineralized biosignatures in ALH-77005 Shergottite - Clues to Martian Life?". Open Astronomy. 28 (1): 32–39. Bibcode:2019OAst...28...32G. doi:10.1515/astro-2019-0002. hdl:10831/50855.
  6. ↑ Baalke, Ron. "The ALHA 77005 Meteorite". NASA. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 De Gruyter (4 April 2019). "Life on Mars? - A Martian meteorite discovered 40 years ago delivers fresh evidence that life once existed on Mars". EurekAlert!. Archived from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  8. ↑ Cassidy, William (2003). Meteorites, Ice, and Antarctica: A personal account. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 28-29, 115, 335–337. ISBN 9780521258722.
  9. ↑ Anderson, Paul Scott (7 April 2019). "New evidence for life in a Martian meteorite? - The discovery of fossilized microbes in Martian meteorites has been claimed before. Now scientists in Hungary add a new study of the ALH-77005 meteorite, with some intriguing new evidence". Earth & Sky. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  10. ↑ De Gruyter (4 April 2019). "Life on Mars?". Phys.org. Retrieved 5 April 2019.

Further reading