New lunar mineral found in meteorite

Chinese scientists have identified a new mineral in the first lunar meteorite ever found in China, marking the 11th lunar mineral discovered worldwide. With this finding, China has now identified four lunar minerals, tying with the United States for the most lunar mineral discoveries.

The mineral, named Magnesiochangesite-(Ce), has been approved by the International Mineralogical Association's Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, the global authority responsible for verifying and naming newly discovered minerals.

A rare-earth-bearing phosphate, Magnesiochangesite-(Ce), is colorless and transparent with a glasslike luster. It is brittle, breaks with shell-like fractures, and fluoresces under ultraviolet light. Researchers said such properties help distinguish it from other lunar materials.