For the first time in our country, the new mineral mineral "Chang'e Stone", geological experts interpret what it means to find

On the eve of the Mid -Autumn Festival, the National Space Agency and the National Atomic Energy Agency jointly released a precious "Moon Congratulations" in Beijing - "Chang'e Stone". "Chang'e Stone" is a new mineral discovered by the Beijing Geological Research Institute of China Nuclear Group Nuclear Industry in the Moon Sample Study. The name has been approved by the International Mineral Society (IMA) New Mineral Classification and Naming Committee (CNMNC). "Chang'e Stone" is the first new moon mineral mineral minerally found in my country, which is also the sixth new mineral found on the moon.

What kind of mineral is "Chang'e Stone"? How did it be discovered? What is the meaning of its discovery? In response, the reporter contacted Hui Hejiu, an expert at the Jiangsu Geological Society and a professor at Nanjing University to interview related issues.

"Minerals are mainly determined based on their chemical composition and crystal structure, so a newly discovered mineral, its chemical composition and (or) crystal structure is obviously different from any known mineral, and may be confirmed as new minerals." It is necessary If you want to understand "Chang'e Stone", you must first figure out what kind of minerals can be defined as new minerals. At the same time, Hui Hejiu believes that with the advancement of scientific research, the "cradle" of human origin and growth -the earth will continue to be discovered by new minerals. "Recently, the team of Academician Yang Jingsui found the new mineral" Wardgonjie "in the Shannan area of ​​Tibet, which is the sixth new mineral that the team recently discovered and approved. ","

During the discovery of "Chang'e Stone", X -ray diffraction high -tech means played an important role. "X -ray diffraction is when X -rays passing through mineral crystals, and the atoms arranged in the crystals encounter scattering. The phase of the scattered X -ray in some directions is strengthened, which shows that the unique unique to the crystal structure shows the structure of the crystal structure. The diffraction phenomenon. "Hui Hejiu told reporters that the technology is an important method used to identify the mineral crystal structure. In 2020, the Chang'e -5 detector carried the 1731 gram of the moon's "local products" and returned to the earth. In 2022, China Nuclear Group Nuclear Industry Beijing Geological Research Institute via a series of high -tech methods such as X -ray diffraction, and in the 140,000 -month sample particles, a single -crystal particles with a size of about 10 microns are separated and successfully interpreted. Its crystal structure.

"Chang'e Stone" is a kind of phosphate mineral, which is columnar crystal, which exists in the moon's basalt granules. "According to the characteristics of the rock phase of the rock crumbs, it is the auxiliary mineral formed by the evolution of Xuanwu rock magma." Hui Hejiu believes that the discovery of "Chang'e Stone" is of great significance to geological research. "This mineral is rich in compatibility Trace elements, including radioactive elements such as uranium, are like other phosphate minerals in the moon. It should be used to be used for radioactive homogenin, and it is of great significance in geological research. "

As the only out -of -the -art planet that has been landed at present, the moon is an important goal for humans to use space resources. "Moon resources belong to all human beings. Whoever discovered first and who developed first." This is part of the "Agreement on the Moon Convention on the Moon" (that is, the Moon Convention) adopted by the United Nations Conference in 1979. The discovery and utilization of lunar minerals will be strategic on the construction of moon bases in the future, including astronauts' survival guarantee products, base construction, and energy development of the base. "Chang'e" has come from Tiangong, will "Jade Rabbit" and "Laurel Tree" be far away?

Xinhua Daily · Jiaojiao Reporter Zhang Xuan Xiaolin Correspondent Li Ji

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