Meteorite found in Sahara evidence of WATER on Mars 4.4bn years ago - Daily Mail

Analysis of a meteorite found in the Sahara Desert reveals the existence of water on Mars 4.4 billion years ago, scientists report. .

The mineral composition of Martian meteorite NWA 7533, found in 2012, reveals chemical signatures of oxidation – which would have occurred as water formed. .

But taking into account the previously established age of NWA 7533 and its newly-discovered mineral composition, researchers have now deduced there was water present another 700,000 years prior to this estimate.   .

Martian meteorite NWA 7533, pictured here, is worth more than its weight in gold.

If there was water on Mars earlier than thought, that suggests water is possibly a natural byproduct of some process early on in planet formation. .

'This oxidation could have occurred if there was water present on or in the Martian crust 4.4 billion years ago during an impact that melted part of the crust.'.

If there was water on Mars earlier than previously thought, that suggests water is possibly a natural byproduct of some process early on in planet formation 

Almost a decade ago, two meteorites were discovered in the Sahara Desert, Africa – NWA 7034, found in 2011, and NWA 7533, found in 2012, from which Mikouchi and colleagues obtained a sample for analysis. 

It's already known that both meteorites came from Mars, thanks to comparisons from evidence gathered by Mars landers.   

'Some of these meteorites contain trapped gas which matches with the Martian atmosphere analysed by the Mars exploration mission, NASA Viking.' 

An 2013 study of the Martian meteorite determined it is 2.1 billion years old and water-rich

In 2013, NWA 7034 was dated at 2.1 billion years old – the second oldest Martian meteorite after NWA 7533

Scientists said at the time the cricket ball sized meteorite contained evidence of more water than any other Martian meteorite found on Earth.  

After more than a year of intensive study, a team of US scientists determined in 2013 that the meteorite formed 2.1 billion years ago

Previous studies by Nasa have also found that Black Beauty contains around ten times more water than other Martian meteorites

Researchers theorise the large amount of water contained in NWA 7034 may have originated from interaction of the rocks with water present in Mars' crust. 

The meteorite also has a different mixture of oxygen isotopes than has been found in other Martian meteorites, which could have resulted from interaction with the Martian atmosphere.