with any certainty that a meteorite, found here on Earth, is from Mars? With all the heavenly bodies out there, isn't it more probable that it came from somewhere else?
They don't know enough about the make up of Mars, to say the meteoric composition is identical to it, and they know virtually nothing of the make up of other celestial objects. Definitely not enough for an absolute comparison.
2007-09-28 05:31:30 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Who's to say that some other planets can't have virtually the same composition as Mars and, in fact, be even more like the meteorite than Mars?
2007-09-28 05:49:20 · update #1
Actually, scientists have learned a great deal about the make up of the martian surface (of course there's lots more to learn) So if they find a meteorite that has the same composition as martian material they know about they can say that the meteorite may have come from mars. And they do know something about celestial object including a lot of the planets and their moons, our moon, the sun and the stars. You're right it can't be absolute - but it does become a higher probability.
2007-09-28 05:43:35 · answer #1 · answered by tfloto 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Think very hard. I know thats difficult, but you can do it.
You have a meteor. Its chemical composition matches that of martian rock as measured by a martian lander.
Where did it come from?
There are no other planets in the solar system with the chemical properties of mars.
Mars is just next door.
Question: Where did it come from?
a. Mars
b. SOME OTHER PLANET identical to mars in a distant solar system light years distant.
Which is the best answer? Which is the simplest? Go ahead, you can do it. We're all rooting for you.
2007-09-28 07:22:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
>Who's to say that some other planets can't have virtually the >same composition as Mars and, in fact, be even more like the >meteorite than Mars?
Because we have explored all of the planets in the solar system with spacecraft, except for Pluto. We have chemically analyzed all of their surfaces (including Pluto's) from the Earth. There is no planet in the solar system whose chemistry remains significantly unknown.
2007-09-28 06:15:52 · answer #3 · answered by ZikZak 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the case of Mars, they can compare the composition with that found on Mars by the various space craft that have landed on Mars. Of course they can't be 100% certain, but pretty certain. High 90's I would think.
2007-09-28 06:53:03 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not to be contrary, but scientists and planetary geologists know QUITE A BIT about the elemental make- up of Mars, through orbital and surface spectroscopy and direct sampling of surface minerals.
They (the scientists) can tell with 99.99% certainty that the particular meteorites you mentioned were from Mars.
Get it?
2007-09-28 05:39:51 · answer #5 · answered by Bobby 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
um, I've never really heard of a meteor being from mars. I've heard of them being from the asteroid belt outside of mars, considering thats where most asteroids come from.
2007-09-28 05:36:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋