Mars meteorite ‘Black Beauty’ reveals ancient hydrogen hotspots

An international research team from Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland has identified hydrogen-rich hotspots within the Martian meteorite known as ‘Black Beauty’ (NWA 7034). By utilizing a combination of neutron and X-ray tomography, scientists were able to perform a non-destructive, three-dimensional analysis of the rock.

The meteorite, which contains fragments as old as 4.48 billion years, provides a window into the early geological history of Mars. While X-rays helped detect heavier elements like iron and silicon, neutron imaging proved essential for locating hydrogen, which is highly sensitive to neutron detection.

The study revealed that these hydrogen-rich zones are not evenly distributed but are concentrated within specific ancient fragments of the Martian crust. This discovery offers new insights into how water interacted with the planet's surface during its earliest stages, providing a clearer map of where water once resided within the rocky material.