Two Meteorites from Mercury?
In a fascinating discovery, researchers found two meteorites in the Sahara Desert in 2023. They suspect these might be the first pieces of Mercury, the solar system’s innermost planet. Understanding these meteorites can shed light on a mostly unexplored world.
A Challenge to Explore Mercury
Mercury is tricky for scientists to study. It’s close to the sun, which makes sending probes difficult. Only two spacecraft have successfully visited so far: Mariner 10 in 1973 and MESSENGER in 2004. A new probe, BepiColombo, is on its way and is expected to orbit Mercury around late 2026.
Limited Samples, Big Questions
Unlike the Moon and Mars, which have over 1,100 meteorite samples cataloged, Mercury has remained a bit of a mystery. There are theories about how other planets can send fragments to Earth during asteroid impacts, but for Mercury, it’s a different story. Its closeness to the sun makes it harder for any debris to escape and find its way here.
Ben Rider-Stokes, a postdoctoral researcher from the UK, notes that current models suggest we should have several Mercury meteorites based on the amount found from the Moon and Mars. Yet, no definitive examples have been identified until now.
“There’s a lot that’s unknown,” he says. “If the two meteorites are indeed from Mercury, it could significantly advance our understanding.”
The Unique Chemistry of the Meteorites
The meteorites, named Northwest Africa 15915 and Ksar Ghilane 022, show interesting chemical traits. They lack iron, which fits with what scientists expect from Mercury’s surface. However, there are contradictions. For example, they seem to be about 500 million years older than rocks on Mercury’s surface. Rider-Stokes cautions against jumping to conclusions: “We need more data to be certain.”
Expert Opinions and Debates
Sean Solomon, a prominent figure in Mercury research, expressed skepticism about the Mercury origin theory. He believes the age difference raises significant questions. Still, he also highlights the valuable insights these meteorites could provide, with similar chemical traits to Mercury’s expected surface materials.
Historically, the planetary science community has been hesitant to accept claims about meteorites from specific planets, as seen with Martian meteorites in past decades. It took rigorous chemical matching for the scientific community to change its stance.
Looking Ahead
The findings from these meteorites may pave the way for future studies. BepiColombo, launching in early 2027, could help us uncover more about Mercury, including its formation and whether it contains water. The ongoing debate over the origins of these meteorites emphasizes the exciting challenges researchers face and sets the stage for future discoveries.
More information on the ongoing research and findings from Mercury can be found in articles from sources like NASA and the Meteoritical Society.
