Utilization of nondestructive techniques for analysis of the Martian meteorite NWA 6963 and its implications for astrobiology

• Published in: X-ray spectrometry Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 86 - 91
• Main Authors: Nascimento‐Dias, Bruno L., Oliveira, Davi F., Machado, Alessandra S., Araújo, Olga M.O., Lopes, Ricardo T., Anjos, Marcelino J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bognor Regis Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Astrobiology; Calcium; Fluorescence; Historic artifacts; Mars; Mars surface; Meteors & meteorites; Microtomography; Nondestructive testing; Potassium; SNC meteorites; Strontium; X-ray fluorescence
• ISSN: 0049-8246; 1097-4539
• DOI: 10.1002/xrs.2815

Martian meteorites are excellent study materials for understanding the present and past of Mars, as they are important historical astrophysical artifacts because they possess information about Martian geological evolution and physical and chemical characteristics. In our case, we analyzed the NWA 6963 Martian meteorite classified as basaltic shergottite because of its chemical structure. A computerized microtomography (μCT) study in the NWA 6963 Martian meteorite provided us with 2D and 3D images that were extremely useful for ascertaining the internal structure of the analyzed sample and gave us the opportunity to find a crumpled material with a very peculiar structural format. In addition, it was possible to observe through the μCT that this encrusted material also has a completely different density of the meteorite. Calcium, strontium, and potassium were detected qualitatively, among others through the technique of X‐ray fluorescence.