Latest Findings from Chang'e-5 Lunar Sample Research: Discovery of Two New Minerals
Today marks the 11th China Space Day, themed "Seven Decades of Space Exploration, Hand in Hand to Explore the Heavens." According to CCTV News, the China National Space Administration today released the latest findings from Chang'e-5 lunar sample research: the discovery of two new lunar minerals. One is named Chang'eite-(Mg), primarily found in lunar drilled basalt breccia, appearing as columnar crystals with a grain size of only 2 to 30 micrometers, about one-thirtieth to one-third the diameter of a human hair.
Ideal crystal diagram of Chang'eite-(Mg)
Experts say that Chang'eite-(Mg) belongs to the calcium rare earth phosphate mineral family, like the previously discovered Chang'eite, but has higher magnesium and rare earth element content.
In addition, researchers also discovered another new mineral – Cerium Chang'eite.
Ideal crystal diagram of Cerium Chang'eite
Compared to the previously discovered Chang'eite, Cerium Chang'eite is rich in the light rare earth element cerium and is an important material carrier for recording different stages of lunar evolution.
The discovery of these two new minerals provides new key evidence for revealing the formation and evolution of the Moon, and also helps to further deepen human understanding of lunar geological evolution.