Last Monday, December 5, it was announced by University of Alberta scientists, Canada, a major discovery: two new minerals in a 15-ton meteorite — found in Somalia. This is the first time that the solid bodies mentioned have been detected in nature. Named as elalite And instantiatedthey are tributes, in the first place, to the El Ali, region in which they were discovered; about the second, is a reference to the scientist Lindy Elkins Tantonprogram leader NASA responsible for sending a mission to a metal-rich meteor.
The minerals were identified in a 70 gram sample. According to Chris Herdscientist from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: “I never thought I’d get involved in describing new minerals just by virtue of working on a meteorite”.
“I never thought I’d get involved in describing new minerals just by virtue of working on a meteorite,” says Herd.
More specific studies will be carried out later. They are currently exploiting the remains obtained from a small sample. Much more can be discovered in this singular specimen.
(Credits: Chris Herd)
Space rock has been in Somalia for decades
Despite the interesting discoveries, the meteor has been known to locals for decades. As for the scientists, they discovered the region just over two years ago. While this is the first time the minerals have been found in nature, they were previously synthesized in the laboratory, making the identification process easier. The discoveries were made possible in a sample of 70 grams, therefore, the investigations will continue in a larger part, with the aim of discovering unpublished extraterrestrial minerals.
Despite the interesting discoveries, the meteor has been known to locals for decades. As for the scientists, they discovered the space rock just over two years ago.
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