| Allan Hills 77005 | |
|---|---|
 Exterior  Interior Meteorite ALH-77005 | |
| Type | Achondrite (unique)[1][2] |
| Clan | Martian meteorite |
| Composition | ~55%olivine, ~35%pyroxene, ~8%maskelynite and ~2% opaques[3] |
| Shock stage | S6[4] |
| Weathering grade | A[1] |
| Country | Antarctica |
| Region | Allan Hills |
| Coordinates | 76°43′00″S159°40′00″E / 76.71667°S 159.66667°E /-76.71667; 159.66667[1] |
| Observed fall | No[1] |
| Found date | 29 December 1977 (Japanese National Institute of Polar Research mission)[5][6] |
| TKW | 482.5g[1] |
 Related media on Wikimedia Commons | |
Allan Hills 77005 (also known asAllan Hills A77005,ALHA77005,ALH77005 andALH-77005[1][5]) is aMartian meteorite that was found in theAllan Hills ofAntarctica in 1977 by aJapanese National Institute of Polar Research mission team[7] andANSMET.[8] Like other members of the group ofSNCs (shergottite,nakhlite,chassignite), ALH-77005 is thought to be fromMars.[9]
On discovery, themass of ALH-77005 was 482.5 g (1.064 lb). Initial geological examination determined that the meteorite was composed of ~55%olivine, ~35%pyroxene, ~8%maskelynite and ~2% opaques.[3]
In March 2019, researchers reported the possibility ofbiosignatures in thisMartian meteorite based on its microtexture and morphology as detected withoptical microscopy andFTIR-ATR microscopy, and on the detection of mineralizedorganic compounds,[5][7][10] suggesting thatmicrobial life could have existed on the planet Mars.[7] More broadly, and as a result of their studies, the researchers suggestSolar System materials should be carefully studied to determine whether there may be signs ofmicrobial forms within otherspace rocks as well.[7]
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