Nakhla meteorite

Last updated

Nakhla meteorite
Nakhla meteorite.jpg
Nakhla meteorite fragment (BM1913,25): two sides and its inner surfaces after being broken open
Type Achondrite
Class Martian meteorite
Group Nakhlite
Country Khedivate of Egypt
Region Abu Hummus, Beheira Governorate
Coordinates 31°9′N30°21′E / 31.150°N 30.350°E / 31.150; 30.350
Observed fall Yes
Fall date1911-06-28
TKW 10 kilograms (22 lb)
407310main jsc2009e243551.jpg
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the surface of a grain of the meteorite showing small pits filled with material. On Earth, similar pits are carved by bacteria
Commons-logo.svg Related media on Wikimedia Commons
SEM image of a chip of the Naklha meteorite, depicting possible biomorph material: the larger, broad knife-like features and the small, donut-shaped features 407304main jsc2009e243549.jpg
SEM image of a chip of the Naklha meteorite, depicting possible biomorph material: the larger, broad knife-like features and the small, donut-shaped features

Nakhla is a Martian meteorite which fell in Egypt in 1911. It was the first meteorite reported from Egypt, the first one to suggest signs of aqueous processes on Mars, and the prototype for Nakhlite type of meteorites.

Contents

History

The Nakhla meteorite fell to Earth on June 28, 1911, at approximately 09:00, in the Abu Hommos district, Alexandria Governorate, Khedivate of Egypt (now Abu Hummus, Beheira Governorate), in the area of the village of El Nakhla El Bahariya. The stones were collected near hamlets of Ezbet Abdalla Zeid, Ezbet Abdel Malek, Ezbet el Askar, and Ezbet Saber Mahdi. [1] [2] [3] Many people witnessed the meteorite approaching from the northwest, inclination about 30°, along with the track marked with a column of white smoke. Several explosions were heard before it fell to Earth in an area of 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) in diameter, and about forty pieces were recovered; [4] the fragments were buried in the ground up to a metre deep. From an estimated original weight of 10 kilograms (22 lb), recovered fragments ranged in weight from 20 grams (0.71 oz) to 1813 grams (64.0 oz). [1] [2]

Two fragments, found near Ezbet Abdel Malek, were presented by the Egyptian Government to the British Museum. [1]

Nakhla dog

One fragment of the meteorite was said to have landed on a dog, as observed by a farmer named Mohammed Ali Effendi Hakim in the village of Denshal supposedly vaporizing the animal instantly. Since no remains of the dog were recovered and there was no other eyewitness to the dog's demise, this story remains apocryphal. [2] However, the story of the Nakhla dog has become something of a legend among astronomers. [5]

Classification

It is the prototypical example of the Nakhlite type meteorite of the SNC Group of Mars meteorites. The meteorite was formed about 1.3 billion years ago at a volcano on Mars. [6]

A number of meteorites thought to have originated from Mars have been catalogued from around the world, [7] including the Nakhlites. These are considered to have been ejected by the impact of another large body colliding with the Martian surface. They then travelled through the Solar System for an unknown period before penetrating the Earth's atmosphere.

Signs of water

Nakhla is the first Martian meteorite to show signs of aqueous processes on Mars. The rock contains carbonates and hydrous minerals, formed by chemical reactions in water. Also, the rock was exposed to water after it formed, which caused secondary accumulations of minerals. The carbonates contain more carbon-13 than rocks formed on Earth, indicating Martian origin. [8]

Signs of life

In March 1999, after receiving part of the meteorite from the British Museum in 1998, [4] a team from NASA's Johnson Space Center examined the Nakhla meteorite using an optical microscope and a powerful scanning electron microscope (SEM), revealing possibly biomorphic forms of a limited size range, among other features. [9] [10] London's Natural History Museum, which holds several intact fragments of the meteorite, allowed NASA researchers to break one open in 2006, providing fresh samples, relatively free from Earth-sourced contamination. These scientists found an abundance of complex carbonaceous material occupying dendritic pores and channels in the rock, resembling the effects of bacteria observed in rocks on Earth. [9]

A debate took place at the 37th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in March 2006 in Houston, Texas over the postulate that carbon-rich content within the pores of the rocks consisted of the remains of living matter. Because carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe (after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen), the presence of shapes resembling living organisms was considered insufficient by most attendees to prove that bacteria once lived on Mars. [11] A team concluded in 2014 that although the non-biological scenario is considered to be the most reasonable explanation for the shapes in this meteorite, it is evident that the Martian subsurface contains niche environments where life could develop. [10]

Amino acids within the meteorite

In 1999, various amino acids were isolated from the meteorite fragment at Johnson Space Center. Among them were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, and γ-aminobutyric acid. However, it is not clear whether they were initially from the meteorite or the product of terrestrial contamination. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martian meteorite</span> Meteorite made of rock originating from Mars

A Martian meteorite is a rock that formed on Mars, was ejected from the planet by an impact event, and traversed interplanetary space before landing on Earth as a meteorite. As of September 2020, 277 meteorites had been classified as Martian, less than half a percent of the 72,000 meteorites that have been classified. The largest complete, uncut Martian meteorite, Taoudenni 002, was recovered in Mali in early 2021. It weighs 14.5 kilograms and is on display at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allan Hills 84001</span> Martian meteorite discovered in Antarctica in 1984

Allan Hills 84001 (ALH84001) is a fragment of a Martian meteorite that was found in the Allan Hills in Antarctica on December 27, 1984, by a team of American meteorite hunters from the ANSMET project. Like other members of the shergottite–nakhlite–chassignite (SNC) group of meteorites, ALH84001 is thought to have originated on Mars. However, it does not fit into any of the previously discovered SNC groups. Its mass upon discovery was 1.93 kilograms (4.3 lb).

The possibility of life on Mars is a subject of interest in astrobiology due to the planet's proximity and similarities to Earth. To date, no conclusive evidence of past or present life has been found on Mars. Cumulative evidence suggests that during the ancient Noachian time period, the surface environment of Mars had liquid water and may have been habitable for microorganisms, but habitable conditions do not necessarily indicate life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrobiology Field Laboratory</span> Canceled NASA Mars rover concept

The Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL) was a proposed NASA rover that would have conducted a search for life on Mars. This proposed mission, which was not funded, would have landed a rover on Mars in 2016 and explore a site for habitat. Examples of such sites are an active or extinct hydrothermal deposit, a dry lake or a specific polar site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scientific information from the Mars Exploration Rover mission</span>

NASA's 2003 Mars Exploration Rover Mission has amassed an enormous amount of scientific information related to the Martian geology and atmosphere, as well as providing some astronomical observations from Mars. This article covers information gathered by the Opportunity rover during the initial phase of its mission. Information on science gathered by Spirit can be found mostly in the Spirit rover article.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars</span> Visible-infrared spectrometer

The Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) was a visible-infrared spectrometer aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter searching for mineralogic indications of past and present water on Mars. The CRISM instrument team comprised scientists from over ten universities and was led by principal investigator Scott Murchie. CRISM was designed, built, and tested by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbonates on Mars</span> Overview of the presence of carbonates on Mars

The formation of carbonates on Mars have been suggested based on evidence of the presence of liquid water and atmospheric carbon dioxide in the planet's early stages. Moreover, due to their utility in registering changes in environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, fluid composition, carbonates have been considered as a primary target for planetary scientists' research. However, since their first detection in 2008, the large deposits of carbonates that were once expected on Mars have not been found, leading to multiple potential explanations that can explain why carbonates did not form massively on the planet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nili Fossae</span> Group of large, concentric grabens on Mars,

Nili Fossae is a group of large, concentric grabens on Mars, in the Syrtis Major quadrangle. They have been eroded and partly filled in by sediments and clay-rich ejecta from a nearby giant impact crater, the Isidis basin. It is at approximately 22°N, 75°E, and has an elevation of −0.6 km (−0.37 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeolis quadrangle</span> One of a series of 30 quadrangle maps of Mars

The Aeolis quadrangle is one of a series of 30 quadrangle maps of Mars used by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Research Program. The Aeolis quadrangle is also referred to as MC-23 . The Aeolis quadrangle covers 180° to 225° W and 0° to 30° south on Mars, and contains parts of the regions Elysium Planitia and Terra Cimmeria. A small part of the Medusae Fossae Formation lies in this quadrangle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water on Mars</span> Study of past and present water on Mars

Almost all water on Mars today exists as polar permafrost ice, though it also exists in small quantities as vapor in the atmosphere.

Mars may contain ores that would be very useful to potential colonists. The abundance of volcanic features together with widespread cratering are strong evidence for a variety of ores. While nothing may be found on Mars that would justify the high cost of transport to Earth, the more ores that future colonists can obtain from Mars, the easier it would be to build colonies there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nakhlite</span> Group of Martian meteorites

Nakhlites are a group of Martian meteorites, named after the first one, Nakhla meteorite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Composition of Mars</span> Branch of the geology of Mars

The composition of Mars covers the branch of the geology of Mars that describes the make-up of the planet Mars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tissint meteorite</span> Meteorite that fell in Tata, Guelmim-Es-Semara, Morocco in 2011

The Tissint meteorite is a Martian meteorite that fell in Tata Province in the Guelmim-Es Semara region of Morocco on July 18, 2011. Tissint is the fifth Martian meteorite that people have witnessed falling to Earth, and the first since 1962. Pieces of the meteorite are on display at several museums, including the Museum of Natural History of Vienna and the Natural History Museum in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwest Africa 7034</span> Martian meteorite

Northwest Africa 7034 is a Martian meteorite. It contains portions estimated to be 4.43 billion years old and contains the most water of any Martian meteorite found on Earth. Although it is from Mars it does not fit into any of the three SNC meteorite categories, and forms a new Martian meteorite group named "Martian ". Nicknamed "Black Beauty", it was purchased in Morocco and a slice of it was donated to the University of New Mexico by its American owner. The image of the original NWA 7034 was photographed in 2012 by Carl Agee, University of New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephant Moraine 79001</span> Meteorite found in Antarctica

Elephant Moraine 79001, also known as EETA 79001, is a Martian meteorite. It was found in Elephant Moraine, in the Antarctic during the 1979–1980 collecting season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yamato 000593</span> Meteorite found in Antarctica

Yamato 000593 is the second largest meteorite from Mars found on Earth. Studies suggest the Martian meteorite was formed about 1.3 billion years ago from a lava flow on Mars. An impact occurred on Mars about 11 million years ago and ejected the meteorite from the Martian surface into space. The meteorite landed on Earth in Antarctica about 50,000 years ago. The mass of the meteorite is 13.7 kg (30 lb) and has been found to contain evidence of past water alteration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bethany Ehlmann</span> American planetary scientist

Bethany List Ehlmann is an American geologist and a professor of Planetary Science at California Institute of Technology. A leading researcher in planetary geology, Ehlmann is also the President of The Planetary Society, Director of the Keck Institute for Space Studies, and a Research Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allan Hills 77005</span> Martian meteorite found in Antarctica

Allan Hills 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, ALH-77005 is thought to be from Mars.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "the meteoric stones of El Nakhla El Baharia (Egypt)", by G.T.Prior, Keeper of Minerals in the British Museum; read November 14, 1911, Mineralogical Magazine, 1912, vol. 16, pp. 274–281
  2. 1 2 3 "The Nakhla Meteorite" – From NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  3. ↑ "Nakhla meteorite fragment" – From the Natural History Museum. Rotatable image of a fragment of the meteorite. URL accessed September 6, 2006.
  4. 1 2 McBridge, Kathleen M.; Righter, K. (August 8, 2011). The 100th Anniversary of the Fall of Nakhla: The Subdivision of BM1913,25. 74th Annual Meeting of the Meteroritical Society. NASA Technical Reports Server. hdl: 2060/20110014358 .
  5. ↑ meteoritestudies.com The Nakhla Dog
  6. ↑ Cohen, Benjamin E.; Mark, Darren F.; Cassata, William S.; Lee, Martin R.; Tomkinson, Tim; Smith, Caroline L. (October 3, 2017). "Taking the pulse of Mars via dating of a plume-fed volcano". Nature Communications. 8 (1): 640. Bibcode:2017NatCo...8..640C. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00513-8. ISSN   2041-1723. PMC   5626741 . PMID   28974682.
  7. ↑ "Mars Meteorites". NASA. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  8. 1 2 Glavin, Daniel P. Amino acids in the Martian meteorite Naklah. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Space rock re-opens Mars debate". BBC News. February 8, 2006. Retrieved September 6, 2006.
  10. 1 2 Chatzitheodoridis, Elias; Haigh, Sarah; Lyon, Ian (2014). "A Conspicuous Clay Ovoid in Nakhla: Evidence for Subsurface Hydrothermal Alteration on Mars with Implications for Astrobiology". Astrobiology. 14 (18): 651–693. Bibcode:2014AsBio..14..651C. doi:10.1089/ast.2013.1069. PMC   4126275 . PMID   25046549.
  11. ↑ Whitehouse, David (August 27, 1999). "Life on Mars – new claims". BBC News. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.