Chinese researchers have identified two new minerals previously unknown to science in samples brought back from the lunar surface. The discovery was officially announced at the opening ceremony of the 11th China Space Day held in Chengdu.
It was reported that new minerals belonging to the phosphate group were found in rock and soil samples brought to Earth by the Chang'e-5 spacecraft. They were named magnesiochangzite-(Y) and changzite-(Se).
These unique substances have been approved by the Commission on New Minerals of the International Mineralogical Association and included in the official classification.
According to experts, this discovery is of great importance for further studying the geology and composition of the Moon. With this, the number of minerals identified on the Moon has reached 8.
It is recalled that China sent the Chang'e-5 spacecraft to the Moon in 2020, bringing back 1.73 kilograms of soil and rock samples. A number of new scientific discoveries are being made based on these samples.
