Hidden Water Uncovered Inside Ancient Martian Rock by Noninvasive Scans
A Martian meteorite nicknamed Black Beauty (NWA 7034), among Earth’s oldest Martian samples, was scanned noninvasively with CT imaging, revealing hydrogen-rich iron oxyhydroxide clasts that comprise about 0.4% of the rock but up to 11% of its water content. The minerals point to past liquid water on early Mars and resemble hydrated phases seen in Perseverance samples, offering new insight into Mars’ ancient environment as NASA’s Mars Sample Return timeline faces delays.