3-1a The Meteorite Fax

   To ARCTICA RECOVERY EXPEDITION
      Qanik Bay, Northwest Territories
   Fm JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
      Houston, Texas, USA

   OBJECT 51

   From your photographs, we have determined that the
   object is

   1) definitely of extraterrestrial origin; i.e., a
   meteorite.

   2) very high probability that planet of origin is
   Mars.

   The specimen is an unusual one and we are anxious
   to examine it. A Martian meteorite similar to this
   one has shown signs of possible life processes. As
   we discussed, certain isolation procedures are
   strongly recommended for any object of
   extraterrestrial origin. We are shipping you a
   suitable isolation container by the fastest means
   possible.

An Access Excellence Science Mystery sponsored by Genentech, Inc.
Copyright © 1997 Genentech, Inc.; all rights reserved.