Allan Hills 77005 (also known as Allan Hills A77005, ALHA77005, ALH77005 and ALH-77005) 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 and ANSMET. Like other members of the group of SNCs (shergottite, nakhlite, chassignite), ALH-77005 is thought to be from Mars.
Description
On discovery, the mass of ALH-77005 was . Initial geological examination determined that the meteorite was composed of ~55% olivine, ~35% pyroxene, ~8% maskelynite and ~2% opaques.
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, suggesting that microbial life could have existed on the planet Mars. 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.
See also
Allan Hills 84001 Glossary of meteoritics History of Mars observation Life on Mars List of Martian meteorites on Earth List of meteorites on Mars Nakhla meteorite Mars sample return mission Panspermia Shergotty meteorite Water on Mars
References
Further reading
External links
Meteoritical Society The British and Irish Meteorite Society The Natural History Museum's meteorite catalogue database