New analysis of a Martian meteorite, nicknamed ‘Black Beauty,’ is providing further insights into teh Red Planet’s watery past. Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark have utilized advanced scanning techniques to detect evidence of water locked within the 4.48-billion-year-old rock, offering a non-destructive method for studying extraterrestrial samples. The findings suggest that water on Mars may have been more widespread than previously understood, perhaps impacting our understanding of the planet’s habitability and the search for past life [[1]].
Scientists have discovered evidence of water within a 4.48 billion-year-old Martian rock known as ‘Black Beauty.’ The finding offers further support for the theory that the Red Planet once harbored liquid water on its surface, a key ingredient for life as we know it.
Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark, led by Estrid Naver, employed novel scanning techniques on NWA 7034 – commonly referred to as ‘Black Beauty’ – one of the most well-known meteorites originating from Mars. This discovery underscores the increasing sophistication of non-destructive analysis in planetary science.
Traditionally, scientists have had to cut into or dissolve meteorites in acid to analyze their composition. However, Naver and her team utilized ‘X-ray CT’ and ‘Neutron CT’ imaging to peer inside the rock without causing damage. The neutron scan specifically detected hydrogen, a key component of water.
Within the approximately 4.48 billion-year-old stone, the team identified small rock particles named ‘H-Fe-ox’ (hydrogen-rich iron oxyhydroxide). These areas, comprising 0.4% of the sample, are believed to contain 11% of the rock’s total water content. This finding, detailed in a report by Sciencealert, suggests a significant presence of hydrated minerals within the Martian meteorite.
Interestingly, ‘Black Beauty’ originated from a different region of Mars than the Jezero Crater, currently being explored by NASA’s Perseverance rover. This suggests that water may have been more widespread across the planet than previously thought, not limited to specific areas like Jezero Crater. TRT Haber also reported on the discovery.
The 320-gram Martian rock, NWA 7034, was originally discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2011. The research has been published on arXiv.
