On the Isotopic Chemistry of Carbon at the Martian Surface [and Discussion]

A brief overview is presented concerning the possibilities of using meteorites, that are thought to have a Martian origin, to learn something about Mars itself. The main reasons for believing the samples are of Martian descent are also given. As an example of the sorts of information that can be obtained by analysing Martian meteorites, previously unpublished results from a study of the carbon in shock-produced glass from one particular sample are discussed. The experimental data are used to give an insight into the potential of using isotopic data to comprehend the carbon cycle on Mars.