Chinese scientists discover new transparent lunar mineral in 44-gram space rock
Chinese scientists from the China Geological Survey announced on Wednesday the discovery of a new lunar mineral, officially named Cerium-Magnesium Changesite, marking the 11th lunar mineral identified to date.
The newly found extraterrestrial mineral is described as colorless, transparent, highly brittle, and glass-like in appearance, with a noticeable fluorescent quality.
Its microscopic grains measure roughly three to 25 micrometers, though most are under 10 micrometers in size—about one-twentieth the width of a human hair.
“Why it is new is that when it was formed, it experienced two different conditions. The physical condition was temperature and pressure, while the chemical condition was its element content,” said Che Xiaochao, associate researcher at the Institute of Geology of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences.
He explained that the discovery of a new mineral in space points to unique environmental conditions that once existed beyond Earth, which have no direct equivalent on our planet. Conversely, finding the same mineral on Earth would suggest it once experienced similar extreme conditions, helping scientists better understand celestial processes.
The mineral was identified inside a 44-gram lunar meteorite—the first of its kind recorded in China. The sample is a small spherical rock with a dark, melted outer crust.
Experts say such discoveries deepen understanding of lunar and space chemistry while also offering potential applications in advanced material science.
Qu Kai, a member of the Commission of New Minerals and Mineral Names, noted that the mineral’s fluorescence could have future applications in LED technology, while its rare-earth composition may provide useful data for developing synthetic materials.