The race to conquer space continues its course, one of the countries involved in such competition is the Asian giant, China. The results of a recent lunar mission carried out by this country, gave excellent results. Especially for the discovery of a new mineral.
Thus, China becomes the third country after the United States and Russia, to discover a mineral on the Moon.
Likewise, it should be noted that after this discovery, 6 different minerals found on the surface of the natural earth satellite are totaled.
The discovery was announced by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogy Association (IMA) at a press conference, which confirmed it as a new oreaccording to Chinese media world times.
Characteristics of the new mineral discovered on the Moon
lunar robotic mission, enabled the probe Chang’e 5, take the sample which was then convertedin one of the most brilliant discoveries made by China on the floor of the moon.
This moon mission takes its name from Chinese mythology, where it is told that ‘Chang’e’ was a beautiful young woman who took an immortality pill and then flew to the Moon, where she became the goddess of the moon.
Simulated Chang ‘E-5 probe, inside the Shanghai Planetarium, China. Credit: Wang Yuming / Costfoto/Sipa
Once the investigations began, the scientists decided to name the new mineral Stone Change.
The report presented to national and international media mentions some of the characteristics of the new mineral. Although the probe brought to Earth only a particle the size of 10 micronswas enough to decipher its components.
The mineral sample was manually separated by the researchers into more than 140,000 tiny particles and then analyzed by a series of advanced mineralogical methods.
Some of the characteristics of the mineral revealed by the scientists to the news agencies, indicated that the change stone It is colorless, transparent and similar in appearance that of a columnar crystal. According to the investigation, the new mineral is phosphate and is found in lunar basalt particles scattered throughout the lunar soil.
Chinese discovery receives international recognition
The new mineral discovered on the Moon by China, obtained the recognition of the world scientific community, through the International Mineralogical Association. Recently, this renowned institution confirmed and certified the discovery made by the Asian giant during its last lunar incursion.
It is important to highlight the efforts of scientists from the Beijing Uranium Geology Research Institute. because these Experts used high-tech means, as was the case with X-ray diffraction. Thus, China is currently placed in a privileged position, facing the domain of the space race.
In addition, the China Atomic Energy Authority and the China National Space Administration released a statement. The two institutions, not only celebrate the discovery of the new mineralThey also pointed to the fact that these were the first samples returned to Earth from the Moon in the past 40 years.
This is undoubtedly another great achievement of China in its lunar missions. Taking this into account, It is the only country in the world that has been able to take a probe to the far side of the moon.. It is remarkable that the progress, development of technologies, as well as the large investments of the Chinese government, occupy a privileged place to dominate the colonization of the mineral resources of the Moon.
An extremely important find
Credit: National Space Administration of China / Atomic Energy Authority of China.
There are several reasons to consider that the discovery of this new mineral on the Moon is of great importance for the international scientific community. Especially at the time of understand the evolution and origin of our natural satellite.
Furthermore, the researchers are convinced that, thanks to this important discovery, a great opportunity opens up for the efficient use of mineral resources which rest on the lunar ground. Perhaps this comment by scientists is based on the discoveries of other lunar minerals.
One of them is the helium 3considered so far as a potential fuel, ideal for nuclear combustion. With the advantage that the lunar ore represents a radioactive danger, very different from what the reactors currently in use offer.
The Moon: a power in minerals
Illustrative image. Credit: Sergio HT/Pixabay
Many experts in lunar geology claim that the moon is a power in minerals, and they look correct. This is at least what the discoveries made so far show. No wonder there are those who say that “the dusty lunar soil is a gold mine”.
It is perhaps for this reason that several countries, including China, are turning to the detailed study of the lunar surface. Everything seems to indicate that the question of the existence of water on the moon has been relegated to the background, surpassed by future lunar exploitation.
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