Shergotty

Shergotty is a colloquial term referring to a type of meteorite known as a shergottite. Shergottites are a small group of meteorites, named after the Shergotty meteorite that fell in India in 1865. These meteorites are igneous rocks, meaning they were formed from molten material, and are believed to have originated from Mars. Their Martian origin is supported by the presence of trapped gases that match the atmospheric composition of Mars, as well as specific mineralogical and isotopic signatures.

The shergottites are classified into three subclasses: basaltic, lherzolitic, and olivine-phyric. Basaltic shergottites are the most common, characterized by a fine-grained, basaltic texture. Lherzolitic shergottites are richer in olivine and pyroxene. Olivine-phyric shergottites contain larger, distinct olivine crystals within a fine-grained matrix. Studying shergottites provides valuable insights into the geological history, volcanic activity, and potential for past life on Mars. They are among the most studied meteorites due to their extraterrestrial origin and the scientific questions they help answer about the Red Planet.