Scientists find evidence in an 84-gram meteorite discovered
in the Sahara Desert that water existed on Mars 4.4 billion years ago.
Wherever there is liquid water on our world, life exists,
but is it the same on other planets? Water on Earth, Mars, and other great
bodies have forever fascinated planetary scientists.
There are many theories on the origins of water that experts
have come up with. Although some claim it originated from post-forming
asteroids and comets, others argue that it arose spontaneously during the
formation of the earth.
The mineral composition analysis of the Martian meteorite
NWA 7533, discovered in 2012, is sponsored by the above. In other words, it
displayed chemical oxidation signatures, which would have been the result of
water formation.
The meteorite belonged to a celestial rock which broke up
when it entered the atmosphere of the Earth.
Planetary scientists already understood that for at least
3.7 billion years, there had been water on the Red Planet, but this finding
showed them that 700,000 years before their estimation, water was present on
Mars.
NWA 7533, a Martian meteorite, is worth more than its weight
in gold.
This implies that water is probably a natural by-product of
some phase early in the creation of the earth. Theories regarding the nature of
life, water, and extraterrestrial life may be influenced by such a discovery.
Back in 2013, scientists announced that the oldest Martian
meteorite, old 4.4, is an 85-gram meteorite. A million years already.