Allan Hills 77005
Martian meteorite found in Antarctica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Allan Hills 77005 | |
|---|---|
Exterior  Interior Meteorite ALH-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[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 | |
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.[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]
