[meteorite]" This meteorite came from Mars. It is an igneous rock--one formed by heat and fire--composed of pyroxene, olivine, and traces of feldspar. The rock formed on Mars over 1 billion years ago, making this meteorite very young in comparison to most others.

Geologists have discovered gas in the meteorite that closely matches the Martian atmosphere. The gas was trapped inside the rock when a giant asteroid hit Mars and sent this meteorite hurtling toward Earth.



Courtesy of the National Museum of Natural History
Nakhla Meteorite

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