NEW STUDY ON METEORITE (ALH) 84001

NEW STUDY ON METEORITE (ALH) 84001

Context:

As of 13 January 2022, a new study published in the journal Science explained the existence of organic compounds on the surface of ​​Meteorite (ALH) 84001.

Background:

• A meteorite named Alan Hills (ALH) discovered 84001 in December 1984.
• It was found in the Far Western Icefield of Allan Hills in Antarctica on a US meteorite hunting expedition.
• At its discovery, it was recognized as an unusual rock collection.
• For nearly 40 years, scientists have debated whether the organic compounds found on the meteorite (ALH) 84001, which settled on Earth from Mars in 1984, were evidence of ancient, primitive life on Mars.
• The possibility that these compounds would have occurred in volcanic activity, impact events on Mars, or due to exposure to water.

Study:

• Journal Science - A new study explains the existence of these living compounds.
• The study also contradicts the notion that these compounds were left to some life that existed on the Red Planet billions of years ago.
• Because of the presence of traces of certain gases precisely similar to the Martian atmosphere, one can say that the meteorite came from the Red Planet.