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20170033_0052

© Cyril FRESILLON/CBM/CNRS Images

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20170033_0052

Chert hydrothermal découvert à Josefdal, en Afrique du Sud et datant de 3 300 millions d'années

Hydrothermal chert discovered at Josefdal, South Africa. This 16-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 3300 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains volcanic and sedimentary rocks prepared in several forms: complete rocks, thin slices or rock powders.

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