Shergotty meteorite falls in Bihar, India

Background. Martian meteorites are rocks formed on Mars, ejected by impact, and landed on Earth. As of 2020, 277 such meteorites were classified. They fall into three groups: shergottites, nakhlites, and chassignites. These groups were identified as distinct from other meteorite types by the early 1980s, suggesting a common parent body, likely Mars.

Classification. The shergottite family is named after the Shergotty meteorite. Roughly three-quarters of all Martian meteorites are shergottites. The names of these groups derive from the location where the first meteorite of that type was discovered. Shergotty is the first example of this family, establishing its nomenclature.

Significance. The Shergotty meteorite is the type specimen for the shergottite group. Its classification as a Martian meteorite relies on the broader understanding that SNC meteorites originate from Mars. While specific source craters for shergottites are debated, some researchers suggest the Mojave Crater as a potential origin for all shergottites.