Enlarge (Image source: Reproduction / AP Photo / University of New Mexico, Carl Agee)

The meteorite above was discovered in the Sahara Desert and has been investigated since last year. Research has shown surprising results in rock composition, showing, for example, that it contains more water and age than other pieces of the Red Planet found on Earth.

And this is not the only meteorite from Mars to be found in that desert. Nor is it the oldest, since rocks have been collected from that planet estimated to be up to 4.5 billion years old. Even so, this specimen named NWA 7034 has its importance in the history of astronomy, since most of the meteorites found in the Sahara are relatively younger, always under 600 million years old.

Also known as “Black Beauty”, this rock was purchased in Morocco and later donated to the University of New Mexico in the United States. The origin of the meteorite was identified by chemical analysis, which also proved that the rock was formed through a volcanic eruption.

In addition, when heated, the rock releases a very small - but still significant - amount of water, far exceeding the total liquid found in any other meteorite from the Red Planet. To make things even better, the stone has been well preserved in the earth's soil and is relatively free of contamination.

The rock will be used as a way of finding out what conditions were like on the surface of Mars during the period when the planet's climate changed from hot and humid to cold and dry.