[Oman-l] Mars meterior discovered in Oman

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InfoBeat News - Afternoon Edition -
               6/15/2001

BERN, Switzerland (AP) - Swiss scientists announced they
have discovered a Mars meteorite in the desert of Oman, one
of only 18 bits of rock ever found on Earth from the red
planet. A team of researchers based at the University of
Bern said Friday the half-pound rock, formed from molten
lava, would contribute to rapidly growing knowledge of
Mars. "Since the announcement of possible traces of life in
the Antarctic Mars meteorite ALH84001 in 1996, Mars
research has boomed," a statement said. That rock, also
known as Allen Hills 84001, was found near the     South
Pole, as were other Mars meteorites before scientists
started looking hard in deserts in recent years. The team
said they and other scientists were able to  detrrmine that
their meteorite is from Mars by a range of analysis of tiny
fragments and the whole rock.