24.04.2026 09:31
Chinese scientists have discovered two previously unknown minerals in samples brought back from the Moon. The minerals, identified in samples collected by the Chang'e-5 spacecraft, have been approved by the International Mineralogical Association. With this discovery, the number of minerals found on the Moon by China has increased to three, while the total number of discovered minerals has risen to eight. The find once again highlights China's progress in space exploration.
Chinese scientists have discovered two previously unknown new minerals in samples brought back from the Moon. The discovery highlights China's progress in space exploration.
DISCOVERY ANNOUNCED ON SPACE DAY
According to Global Times, the minerals were revealed to the public at the opening ceremony of the 11th China Space Day held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
NEW MINERALS NAMED
The phosphate minerals found in rock and soil samples collected by the Chang'e-5 probe have been named "magnesiochangbaiite-(Y)" and "changbaiite-(Ce)." It was stated that these minerals belong to the category of rare earth phosphates.
The minerals were officially approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association.
NUMBER OF MINERALS ON THE MOON INCREASES
With this discovery, China has identified its second and third minerals from samples collected on the Moon. Chinese scientists had previously discovered another phosphate mineral named "changbaiite-(Y)" in September 2022.
With the new findings, the total number of minerals identified on the Moon to date has risen to 8.
CHINA'S LUNAR MISSION
China launched the Chang'e-5 probe, developed to collect samples from the Moon's surface, into space in November 2020, and the probe returned to Earth in December 2020 with 1.73 kilograms of rock and soil samples.