This large collection of meteorites allows a better understanding of the abundance of meteorite types in the solar system and how meteorites relate to asteroids and comets. New types of meteorites and rare meteorites have been found. Among these are pieces blasted off the Moon, and probably Mars, by impacts. These specimens, particularly ALH84001 discovered by ANSMET, are at the center of the controversy about possible evidence of microbial life on Mars. Because meteorites in space absorb and record cosmic radiation, the time elapsed since the meteorite hit the Earth can be determined from laboratory studies. The elapsed time since fall, or terrestrial residence age, of a meteorite represents more information that might be useful in environmental studies of Antarctic ice sheets. COUNT 5
QSN1 How do the meteorites found in Antarctica add to knowledge about the solar system? ANS1 better understanding QSN2 From where in the solar system could the meteorites have come? ANS2 Moon QSN3 Beside rare types of meteorites, what other types of meteorites have been found in Antarctica? ANS3 New types QSN4 About what nearby planet could the Antarctic meteorites hold data? ANS4 Mars QSN5 What do meteorites absorb that can be used to understand how old the meteorite is? ANS5 cosmic radiation