A stony meteorite discovered by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity on Meridiani Planum, Mars

Citation

Schröder C, Gellert R, Jolliff BL, Klingelhöfer G, McCoy TJ, Morris RV, Rodionov DS, de Souza PA, Yen AS & Zipfel J (2006) A stony meteorite discovered by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity on Meridiani Planum, Mars. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 41 (S8), pp. A160-A160, Art. No.: 5285. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2006.tb00996.x

Abstract
The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is exploring the Meridiani Planum terrain of Mars. The area is characterized by a sulfaterich bedrock largely covered by windblown basaltic sand and a hematite lag. Only two large rocks (Bounce Rock and Heat Shield Rock) have been observed; they are interpreted as ejecta from a distant crater and an iron meteorite, respectively. However, numerous cobbles (here, rock fragments >1 cm) are scattered across the surface of Meridiani Planum. Here we make the case for the possible meteoritic origin of one of these cobbles.

Notes
Output Type: Meeting Abstract

Journal
Meteoritics and Planetary Science: Volume 41, Issue S8

People

Dr Christian Schroeder

Senior Lecturer, Biological and Environmental Sciences