Red Planet Relic: Rare Rugby Ball-Sized Martian Meteorite Set to Make Earthly Debut at Osaka Expo 2025
Japanese Government to Display Martian Meteorite at Osaka Expo
The Japanese government has decided to display a Martian meteorite, the largest of its kind, at the Osaka-Kansai World Expo (Osaka Expo) in April next year, as reported by the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 16th. This meteorite, collected near a Japanese Antarctic base in November 2000, is 29cm wide, 22cm long, 16cm high, and weighs 13kg.
The National Institute of Polar Research in Tokyo has stored the meteorite and determined its origin from Mars through analysis of the gas components inside. Notably, this meteorite contains minerals that react with water, providing clues that water existed on Mars.
The Japanese government hopes that this meteorite can become a symbol of the upcoming Osaka Expo, which will be themed “Designing a Future Society Where Life Shines.” Additionally, the government is considering exhibiting sand collected from the asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 probe in 2020.
The display of the Martian meteorite is expected to attract attention, similar to the moon rock brought back by the US Apollo 12, which was displayed at the US pavilion at the Osaka Expo in 1970.