Some meteorites that landed on Earth originated on Mars, blasted off by asteroid impacts and later recovered as rare, scientifically valuable samples that let researchers study Martian rock without leaving our planet
Observations from missions
Certain meteorites discovered on Earth have compositions and trapped gases that match the Martian atmosphere measured by spacecraft, and some famous examples have driven decades of study into Mars’s past environments and potential biosignatures.
How they are identified
Martian meteorites are identified by their mineralogy, isotopic ratios and gas inclusions that match Martian values. They are rare among terrestrial meteorite finds, numbering only a few hundred confirmed specimens out of tens of thousands of meteorites catalogued on Earth.
Origin and ejection
These rocks were launched from Mars when large impacts accelerated surface material above escape velocity, sending fragments into interplanetary space where some later intersected Earth’s path and fell as meteorites that could be recovered and studied in laboratories.
Implications for science
Martian meteorites provide direct physical samples that constrain Mars’s geological history, volcanic activity and alteration by water, and while they cannot fully replace returned samples from controlled landing sites, analyses of meteorites remain essential for planning missions and searching for signs of past habitability.
Takeaway
Martian meteorites are rare, scientifically rich windows into the Red Planet, offering chemical and geological evidence that complements orbital and rover data and helps guide future exploration and sample‑return priorities.