WASHINGTON — Scientists today are confirming a recent and rare invasion from Mars — meteorite chunks that fell from the red planet over Morocco last summer.

This is only the fifth time experts have chemically confirmed fresh Martian rocks fell to Earth. The last time was in 1962.

Scientists believe this meteorite fell last July in North Africa because there were sightings of it.

A special committee of meteorite experts, which includes some NASA scientists, confirmed the test results today. They certified that 15 pounds of meteorite recently collected came from Mars. The biggest rock weighs more than 2 pounds.

Astronomers think that millions of years ago something big smashed into Mars that sent fragments hurtling through the solar system. Occasionally, some fall on Earth.