Mars and Meteorite and Opals: Signs of Life?

A Martian meteorite that fell to earth in 1911 has been found to contain traces of opals. But University of Glasgow researchers recently reported their findings in the journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science.

They found "fire opal," known for its brilliant orange, yellow and red coloration, in a 1.7-gram section of the meteorite called Nakhla, which had been supplied by the Natural History Museum of London.

Finding opal is notable because on Earth, similar opals are often formed in and around hot springs. In fact, it might be possible to find life trapped within the opal: "Microbial life thrives in these conditions, and opal can trap and preserve these microbes for millions of years. If Martian microbes existed, it's possible they too may be preserved in opal deposits on the surface of Mars," said Professor Martin Lee, of the University of Glasgow's School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, in a release.

The team used a powerful scanning electron microscope in the University's School of Physics and Astronomy, finding very small traces of the gem in the rock created by the interaction of Martian water with silica within the meteorite.

The research builds on the team's 2013 discovery of the first direct evidence of water dissolving the surface of Mars. They found physical traces of secondary minerals created by water interacting with the minerals olivine and augite contained within Nakhla.

Nakhla's name rises from the town in Egypt where the rock landed in 1911, long after being blasted from the face of Mars by a huge impact of unknown origin.

This research furthers the team's 2013 discovery of the first direct evidence of water dissolving the surface of Mars. They found physical traces of secondary minerals created by water interacting with the minerals olivine and augite within Nakhla.

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