Space & Astronomy

Extraterrestrial mineral found inside meteorite

By T.K. Randall
September 6, 2019 ·  16 comments

The meteorite was found 68 years ago. Image Credit: CC BY 4.0 Rodney Start / Museums Victoria The discovery was made following a new analysis of the Wedderburn meteorite - a 'lemon-sized' space rock that was found back in 1951 near Wedderburn in Victoria, Australia.

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology used an electron-beam microscope and electron probe to determine the chemical composition and crystal structure of the meteorite's interior.

They determined that it contained a previously unseen mineral found nowhere else on Earth.The new mineral has since been named 'edscottite' after scientist Edward R.D. Scott.

The meteorite itself is thought to have been part of a small planet that was shattered into pieces when it collided with another object during the early days of the solar system.

"Every mineral has a voice and its own story to tell," said study lead author Chi Ma.

"Each new E.T. mineral represents a distinctive formation environment and can provide insights into processes active in the solar nebula, on asteroids, the moon and Mars."

Source: Live Science | Comments (16)

Tags: Edscottite, Meteorite