Black Beauty rock 'is oldest chunk of Mars'

[DrLeftover]

A rock discovered in the Sahara Desert is the oldest Martian meteorite ever found, scientists believe.

Earlier research had suggested it was about two billion years old, but new tests indicate the rock actually dates to 4.4 billion years ago.

The dark and glossy meteorite, nicknamed Black Beauty, would have formed when the Red Planet was in its infancy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25016479

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

If that rock could talk...

 

[DrLeftover]

I wonder how scientists claim how old something is...

How Do Geologists Know How Old a Rock Is?

http://www.geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/gladasked/gladage.htm

 

[Kirito]

So, you're answer is a link?

All it is, is just guessing...

Not at all. Ever heard of carbon dating? There are other materials they can use for further back.

Even if they can't use that, there are other ways that make it a very educated guess. They don't just go "hmm, this looks old to me".

 

[Kirito]

Yes, I know... And yes, it's just guesstimating...

Science is a lot of guessing and trail & error itself...

Carbon dating is flawed just like most science today...

So because science isn't perfect nothing scientists say has any validity?

The dating of rocks certainly isn't accurate, but when something is estimated to be 4,4 billion years old, a couple 1000 years don't really matter all that much.