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How do we know that piece of rock originates on Mars?

• ceejayoz 1y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_meteorite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_meteorite > These meteorites are interpreted as Martian because they have elemental and isotopic compositions that are similar to rocks and atmospheric gases on Mars, which have been measured by orbiting spacecraft, surface landers and rovers.
• colechristensen 1y ago
  They were a lot different than other meteorites. Isotope ratios are used to date when the rock solidified and they were found to be younger. Different isotope ratios which are unique and prevalent across different planets were found to be the same as on Mars. Basically there was a rare set of clustered properties which were very similar to properties of the rocks and atmosphere on mars as tested by our various landers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_meteorite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_meteorite
• treyd 1y ago
  A linked article states > The examination found that it is an “olivine-microgabbroic shergottite,” a type of Martian rock formed from the slow cooling of Martian magma. It has a course-grained texture and contains the minerals pyroxene and olivine, Sotheby’s says. And that magma is probably identified by isotopic composition. Similar to how we know that the Moon used to be part of Earth.
• fitsumbelay 1y ago
  IMHO having "fuck you" money, as opposed to wealth, is vulnerable and emotional and therefore ripe for getting rugged, eg. You don't see Warren Buffet or even space enthusiasts like Bezos and Musk in this fray. At least not publicly. There is probably a happy middle between the two though but man I can't imagine being that rich and needy and setting off the Spidey-sense of every scammer within miles of you. Seriously? "Meteor" hunter? Come on, man ...