[meteorite-list] Tata-Foumzgit-Tanzrou Martian Fall. (Why no lunar falls? and freshest lunar?)

[Jeff Grossman]

...except that it is unlikely that the primary target of a sample return 
mission to Mars would be basalt!  That is not to say that this isn't an 
exciting event. But it does not accomplish what a sample return mission 
would, nor does it make such a mission less important.

Jeff

On 1/15/2012 2:43 PM, Galactic Stone & Ironworks wrote:
> Hi Shawn and List,
>
> It is true that science has access to dozens(!) of Martian meteorites,
> but all of them have been sitting on Earth for thousands of years and
> they have experienced alteration and oxidation during that long wait
> for discovery.  This is the first Martian (or any planetary) that has
> a terrestrial age measured in months.  That is exciting.  It is so
> pristine and fresh, that scientists should be very keen to research
> it.  Due to it's lack of oxidation and alteration, it is the next best
> thing to sample recovery mission.  Imagine how much it would cost to
> bring back a sizeable sample from Mars.  Mother Nature just saved
> science billions of dollars.  :)
>
> Best regards,
>
> MikeG