Allan Hills 77005 | |
---|---|
Type | Achondrite (unique) [1] [2] |
Clan | Martian meteorite |
Composition | ~55% olivine, ~35% pyroxene, ~8% maskelynite and ~2% opaques [3] |
Shock stage | S6 [4] |
Weathering grade | A [1] |
Country | Antarctica |
Region | Allan Hills |
Coordinates | 76°43′00″S 159°40′00″E / 76.71667°S 159.66667°E [1] |
Observed fall | No [1] |
Found date | 29 December 1977 ( Japanese National Institute of Polar Research mission) [5] [6] |
TKW | 482.5 g [1] |
Related media on Wikimedia Commons |
Allan Hills 77005 (also known as Allan Hills A77005, ALHA77005, ALH77005 and ALH-77005 [1] [5]) 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 [7] and ANSMET. [8] Like other members of the group of SNCs ( shergottite, nakhlite, chassignite), ALH-77005 is thought to be from Mars. [9]
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. [3]
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, [5] [7] [10] suggesting that microbial life could have existed on the planet Mars. [7] 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. [7]