Mössbauer investigations of three meteorites of the type SNC-achondrites are reported. The results are compared with Mössbauer spectra of other meteorites, and selected terrestrial and lunar rocks. Through the oxidation state of iron in the pyroxenes and magnetic oxides studied, the work confirms that the mantle of the Earth is highly oxidized compared with the mantle of asteroidal bodies and lunar basalts. The investigations show that at least one of the SNC meteorites (Nakhla) comes from a highly oxidized parent body, believed to be the planet Mars. Based on the results obtained, a somewhat general conclusion about the oxidation state of iron in planetary bodies is proposed.

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