A pink rock found in the Sahara Desert has given scientists clues about ancient Mars. NASA supported research on the rock, called Teghaza 001. Scientists studied its minerals to find its age. It formed on Mars more than 4.1 billion years ago. Someone found it in Mali in 2022. However, its journey began on another planet, long before that discovery.
The different minerals offer information about the planet's early surface. Water later changed parts of the rock. Researchers can compare it with information from Mars missions. They have suggested possible places where it came from. Its exact home on Mars remains unknown. This small stone can help answer much larger questions about the planet's history.