Shergotty meteorite

The Shergotty meteorite (Named after Sherghati) is the first example of the shergottite Martian meteorite family. It was a 5-kilogram (11 lb) meteorite which fell to Earth at Sherghati, in the Gaya district, Bihar, India on 25 August 1865, and was retrieved by witnesses almost immediately.^[1] Radiometric dating indicates that it solidified from a volcanic magma about 4.1 billion years ago.^[2] It is composed mostly of pyroxene and is thought to have undergone preterrestrial aqueous alteration for several centuries. Certain features within its interior are suggestive of being remnants of biofilm and their associated microbial communities.^[3]

Shergotty meteorite
50 milligram fragment of the Shergotty meteorite
Type	Achondrite
Class	Martian meteorite
Group	Shergottite
Parent body	Mars
Country	India
Region	Sherghati, Gaya district, Bihar
Fall date	1865-08-25
TKW	5-kilogram (11 lb)
Alternative names	Sherghati meteorite
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See also

• ALH84001 meteorite
• Glossary of meteoritics
• Life on Mars
• List of meteorites on Mars
• Nakhla meteorite
• NWA 7034 meteorite
• Yamato 000593 meteorite

References

1. Baalke, Ron. "Shergotty Meteorite". JPL. NASA.
2. Bouvier, A.; et al. (2009). "Martian meteorite chronology and the evolution of the interior of Mars". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 280 (1–4): 285–295. Bibcode:2009E&PSL.280..285B. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2009.01.042.
3. Gibson Jr., E. K.; Westall, F.; McKay, D. S.; Thomas-Keprta, K.; Wentworth, S.; Romanek, C. S. (1999). "Evidence for ancient Martian life" (PDF). Johnson Space Center. Houston Texas: NASA: 6142. Bibcode:1999ficm.conf.6142G.

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