Key Takeaways:
- The Martian meteorite ALH 84001, discovered in Antarctica in 1984, landed on Earth approximately 13,000 years ago.
- In 1996, NASA researchers announced the possible discovery of ancient Martian life within ALH 84001, based on observed carbonate minerals and microscopic structures.
- The announcement significantly impacted NASA's funding, leading to restored budgets and investment in astrobiology research.
- While current scientific consensus is skeptical of the initial biosignature claims within ALH 84001, the meteorite's discovery influenced the development of major space exploration projects, such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the Perseverance Mars rover.
Meterorite ALH 84001 fell to Earth from Mars about 13,000 years ago, landing in the Allan Hills region of Antarctica. It was discovered in 1984 and taken to the Johnson Space Center, where in 1994 researchers saw possible signs of life: carbonate minerals and microscopic structures that resembled nanobacteria. Further research commenced, and on Aug. 7, 1996, NASA astrobiologist David McKay announced that ALH 84001 contained ancient martian life. Suddenly a NASA that had been facing $5 billion in budget cuts saw much of its funding restored in a push for further astrobiology research. Although researchers today are skeptical of the biosignatures in ALH 84001, the martian meteorite had a big impact on finances and future planning, allowing for the development of, among other projects, the James Webb Space Telescope and the Perseverance Mars rover.
