Mars rock here on Earth

[Bullgrit]

There are apparently several rocks here on Earth that supposedly came from elsewhere in the Solar System or Universe. For instance, I just read a note about scientists looking at a rock found here on Earth that came from Mars.

My question: How do scientists know a rock found here on Earth came from off of Earth? And how can they know specifically where it came from?

Bullgrit

 

[Dioltach]

Simple: if it's a male rock it's from Mars, if it's female it's from Venus. All you have to do is turn it over and look.

 

[Pbartender]

My question: How do scientists know a rock found here on Earth came from off of Earth? And how can they know specifically where it came from?

Because the Martians who gave it to them told them so.

 

[Pbartender]

My question: How do scientists know a rock found here on Earth came from off of Earth? And how can they know specifically where it came from?

On a more serious note...

By analyzing the chemical and geological composition of the rock. We have enough data now on the geology of the other planets in our solar system, that a planetary geologist can use the same methods as a terrestrial geologist. By knowing what the rock is made of, and how those components are put together, we can make a reasonable guess as to where and when it came from.

 

[megamania]

As he said.


Most all rocks have crystals within them. These crystals are sensitive to magnetic energy. So one can even tell which way the rock was sitting when cooling / solidifying.

Geology is really cool in many ways.

Historical geology especially is neat to me.

 

[RangerWickett]

Megamania, with regards to your sig, a friend of mine wants to start a store called Booze, Boobs, Bongs, and Booms - selling liquor, porn, 'tobacco' paraphernalia, and fireworks.

 

[El Mahdi]

deleted

 

[Wycen]

Thanks to known extra-terrestrial rocks (aka, those meteorites found in farmers fields, things like that) they can compare the chemical/physical composition and use that to at least say "this has too much iron" or whatever.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Megamania, with regards to your sig, a friend of mine wants to start a store called Booze, Boobs, Bongs, and Booms - selling liquor, porn, 'tobacco' paraphernalia, and fireworks.

While it wasn't the business' actual name, there used to be a "Gentleman's Club" that had a prominent sign proclaiming they had "Beer, Burgers & Babes."

Is it just something with the letter "B?"

I mean, your buddy's store could have been called "Spirits, Sex, Smokes and Sparklers" after all.