Mars Rocks Fell to Earth in July: Scientists

Meteorites were collected in Africa
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 17, 2012 10:52 AM CST
Mars Rocks Fell to Earth in July: Scientists
This handout photo provided by Darryl Pitt of the Macovich Collection shows an external view of a Martian meteorite recovered in December 2011 near Foumzgit, Morocco.   (AP Photo/Darryl Pitt, Macovich Collection)

We may not be able to get people to Mars yet, but Mars can get to us. Fifteen pounds of meteorite that fell to Earth over Morocco last July came from the red planet, scientists confirm. The largest chunk is more than two pounds, the AP reports. Astronomers believe something smashed into Mars millions of years ago, resulting in fragments flying through the solar system and occasionally falling to Earth; this marks just the fifth time experts have confirmed Martian rocks falling to Earth. (More Mars stories.)

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