Features Found in the Yamato Meteorite

This scanning electron microscope image shows spheroidal features embedded in a layer of iddingsite, a mineral formed by action of water, in a meteorite that came from Mars. An area with the spheres, circled in red, was found to have about twice as much carbon present as an area (circled in blue) without the spheres. This meteorite, named Yamato 000593, was found in Antarctica in 2000 and identified as originating from Mars. The scale bar at lower left is 1 micron.

This scanning electron microscope image of a polished thin section of a meteorite from Mars shows tunnels and curved microtunnels. The clay mineral iddingsite is present in this meteorite, named Yamato 000593, which was found in Antarctica in 2000 and identified as originating from Mars. The scale bar at lower left is 2 microns.

Image credits: (top) NASA; (bottom) NASA

Note: For more information, see NASA Scientists Find Evidence of Water in Meteorite, Reviving Debate Over Life on Mars.