Rare Martian meteorite offers a window into the planet's ancient crust

A meteorite recovered from the Sahara Desert has been identified as a rare fragment of Mars' ancient crust. Because it originated on the Red Planet, it provides scientists with a direct physical sample of Martian geology from the distant past. The find is notable for its rarity, as few Martian meteorites are known to preserve material from such old crustal rock. Researchers can use the specimen to better understand how the planet's surface formed and evolved over billions of years. Details beyond these basic facts were not included in the source material provided.