Spinel in Martian meteorite SaU 008: implications for Martian magnetism

Shergotty–Nakhla–Chassigny (SNC) meteorites provide the only available samples of Martian material. The stable permanent magnetization of SNC meteorites has been traditionally attributed to magnetite (Fe3O4) or pyrrhotite (Fe7S8). On the basis of rock magnetic, microscopic, and electron microprobe analyses on rock chips and mineral separates, we suggest that a new material (Fe–Cr–Ti spinel) is responsible for the stable paleomagnetic record of Martian meteorite SaU 008. It is possible that SaU 008 acquired a primary remanence of thermal origin from the Martian crustal field. However, this proposition requires further testing because the effect of shock events on Fe–Cr–Ti spinel is unknown.