description Shergotty Overview
Shergotty is a basaltic Martian meteorite that fell near Sherghati, in present-day Bihar, India, in 1865. Its mineral composition, trapped gases, and other chemical evidence connect it to rocks ejected from Mars by an impact. The specimen gives its name to shergottites, the largest major group within the SNC Martian meteorites, and serves as an important reference for studying volcanic processes on Mars.
insights Ranking position
Shergotty ranks #23 of 213 in the Meteorite ranking, behind ALH81005, ahead of Willamette.
help Shergotty FAQ
Why are Martian shergottites named after Shergotty?
Shergotty is the type specimen from which the shergottite meteorite group takes its name. The stone fell in Bihar, India, in 1865, when the town's name was commonly rendered as Shergotty.
How do scientists know Shergotty came from Mars?
Its mineralogy and chemical history match the broader family of meteorites linked to Mars through trapped atmospheric gases. Shergotty is an igneous basaltic rock, showing that its parent world experienced volcanic activity.
What is the difference between Shergotty and Nakhla?
Shergotty defines the basalt-rich shergottites, while Nakhla defines the clinopyroxene-rich nakhlites. Both are Martian meteorites, but they crystallized from different magmas and record different geological histories.
Did Shergotty form when it entered Earth's atmosphere?
No, its underlying igneous rock crystallized on Mars before an impact launched it into space. Atmospheric entry produced only the thin fusion crust around the exterior.
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