NASA Links with Bennachie

In the 1970s a reddish mineral was found on Bennachie near the Rowantree Tree Car Park. This was discovered by Dr Jeff Wilson and has been named Macaulayite after the Macaulay Institute in Aberdeen.

NASA had an interest in the mineral as it was believed that this mineral could give the planet Mars its reddish look and could indicate the presence of water on Mars.

This means that life could be sustained on Mars.

Bennachie is the only known source of this mineral which can be dated back to before the last Ice Age.

Learn more about Macaulayite and read the BBC Report.

Read more postings about Bennachie in the Save Bennachie Blog.