Changesite-(Y) Explained

Formula:(Ca₈Y)◻Fe²⁺(PO₄)₇[1]
Category:phosphates
System:trigonal
References:[2]

Changesite-(Y), with the chemical formula (Ca8Y)□Fe2+(PO4)7, is a mineral found forming colorless transparent columnar crystals in basalt particles on the Moon.[3] Changesite-(Y) is a member of the merrillite group of phosphate minerals.[4] [5] [6]

History

Changesite-(Y) was first identified by researchers at the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology. They discovered a single crystal of Changesite–(Y) using X-ray diffraction while examining particles collected from the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program's fifth lunar exploration mission, Chang'e 5, which is also China's first sample-return mission to the Moon. The mineral is named after Chang'e, the Moon goddess in Chinese mythology.[5] China National Space Administration and China Atomic Energy Authority jointly announced the discovery of Changesite-(Y) in Beijing on September 9, 2022, and its recognition has been approved by the International Mineralogical Association and its Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification. The discovery also makes China the third country to discover a new lunar mineral after the United States and former Soviet Union.[7] [8]

Application

Changesite-(Y) contains the element Helium-3, which is useful in fueling nuclear fusion reactions.[9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. Miyawaki . Ritsuro . Hatert . Frédéric . Pasero . Marco . Mills . Stuart J. . IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) – Newsletter 69 . European Journal of Mineralogy . 19 October 2022 . 34 . 5 . 463–468 . 10.5194/ejm-34-463-2022 . 2022EJMin..34..463M . 3 November 2022. free .
  2. Web site: 2022-11-02 . English . Changesite-(Y) . Mindat.
  3. Web site: Faisal Khan . 'Changesite'-(Y) is the sixth new mineral discovered on the Moon . Medium . 30 July 2023 . 10 October 2022.
  4. News: Chinese scientists discover new mineral on the moon . 2022-09-10. Zaho . Lei. chinadaily.com.cn. 2022-09-09 .
  5. Web site: China claims discovery of a new mineral on the moon for the first time . 2022-09-10. Tamim . Baba. Interesting Engineering. 2022-09-09.
  6. Web site: China Focus: Chinese scientists discover new lunar mineral . 2022-09-10. Xinhua . . News.cn. 2022-09-09.
  7. Web site: Jones . Andrew . 2022-09-12 . China discovers new moon mineral in lunar samples . 2024-06-27 . Space.com . en.
  8. Web site: China discovers new mineral on Moon. 2022-09-10. Australian Associated Press . . The Hepburn Advocate. 2022-09-09.
  9. Web site: Kristin Houser . China has discovered a brand new moon mineral . Free Think . 30 July 2023 . 25 September 2022.
  10. Web site: China has returned helium-3 from the moon, opening door to future technology . . 18 September 2022 . 5 October 2023.

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