The meteorites fell in the Moroccan desert in July and were
recovered a few months later. Darryl Pitt/Macovich Collection/AP
A hail of Martian meteorites crashed to Earth last July, and
collectors and scientists around the world are snapping up the
ultra-rare rocks for display and study. The meteorites fell in
the Moroccan desert in July and were recovered a few months
later. Scientists confirmed today (Jan. 17) that the rocks are
Martian, presumably blasted off the Red Planet by an asteroid
strike. The rocks are a rare treat for researchers, allowing
them to investigate relatively pristine chunks of Martian
material. Such freshly delivered pieces of the Red Planet have
been found on only four other occasions, the last time in 1962.
As a result of their scarcity and scientific value, the rocks
are selling for incredibly high prices — 10 times the price of
gold or more. News of the meteorites' Martian origin was first
reported by the Associated Press. "In the world of meteoritics,
a fall is as good as it gets,