Crystals of a previously unknown lunar mineral have been discovered by Chinese researchers. The samples used to make the discovery were taken from the moon in 2020.
Changesite-(Y) is a phosphate mineral and columnar crystal named after Chang’e, a Chang in Chinese mythology who was the goddess of the moon. It was found in pieces of lunar basalt that were being looked at in Chinese labs.
Researchers at the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology were the ones who made the discovery. They were studying particles collected from the moon when they came across a single crystal of Changesite (Y) using X-ray diffraction. This led to the discovery.
The discovery was presented and discussed at a press conference on September 9th. According to the Chinese state-run media outlet Global Times, the International Mineralogical Association‘s Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature, and Classification (CNMNC) ratified it as a new mineral. The CNMNC is located in a new tab.
China is the third country on Earth to find a previously unknown lunar mineral. The United States and the countries that made up the former Soviet Union were the first two, with the Apollo crewed lunar landings and the Luna sample return missions, respectively.
The Chang’e 5 mission was the first lunar sample return mission since the 1970s, and it landed in Oceanus Procellarum in December of 2020.
The mission was able to get lunar mineral samples from the moon that weighed a total of 1.73 kilograms (3.81 pounds) and bring them back to Earth in one piece for further study. This led to a number of discoveries.
The Chang’e 6 mission is anticipated to be China’s next trip to the moon. It will make an attempt to retrieve the first samples from the far side of the moon, which is never visible from Earth.
