A large chunk of space rock fell to Earth in Somalia and was analysed by scientists. This revealed materials that were not previously known in nature.
Two new minerals have been identified and analyzed. A third possibility is being considered by the International Mineralogical Association.
Scientists could use this discovery to gain important insights into the formation of meteorites and asteroids.
These minerals were named elaiite, elkinstantonite and their discovery was made public by Chris Herd, a Canadian planetary geologist. Space Exploration SymposiumThis entry was posted on 21 November.
“Whenever you discover a new mineral it means that the geological conditions and the chemistry of the rock were different from what was previously known.” Herd says. “That’s what makes it exciting: In this meteorite, you have two newly described minerals.
Partially embedded into sand in a valley rich in limestone in Somalia, near El Ali.he rock in question was only recently identified as a meteorite – This 15.2-ton boulder is the ninth-largest known space rock to have been found on Earth’s Surface.
Although it’s not clear when the meteorite fell from the heavens, locals believe it did. Had named the rock“Nightfall”: This is how we remember it in folklore and songs for at least 5 to7 generations. We also use it as an anvil when knife-sharpening.
Prospectors searching for opal in this area in 2019 were intrigued by the unusual, pitted rock and took samples to Herd for analysis and classification at University of Alberta’s Meteorite Collection.
Herd quickly discovered Nightfall, in collaboration with researchers from the University of California Los Angeles and the California Institute of Technology. IAB complexEl Ali was the official name of the town.
They are part of the iron IAB complex, which contains approximately 350 meteorites. They are believed to have formed due to impact-induced melt on an iron. asteroid.
Herd and his team had to analyze the meteorite’s chemical composition in order to classify it. Herd noticed that some of the inclusions had an unusual texture and composition so he enlisted the help of Andrew Locock, a University of Alberta mineralogist who has also been involved in the description of other new minerals.
“The first day that he did some analysis, he stated, “You’ve got at most two new minerals there.” Herd says. “That was incredible. To find a new mineral, it usually takes more effort than that.
The two minerals had iron-phosphorus-oxygen compositions. Elaliite, named for El Ali, contains the formula Fe2+8Fe3+(PO4)O8. Elkinstantonite is named after Lindy Elkins-Tanton, a planetary scientist from Arizona State University. It has the formula Fe4(PO4)2O. Elkins Tanton has been a major contributor to the understanding of how iron meteorites and planetary cores are formed.
It is not uncommon for a new mineral to take some time to identify. But similar minerals like these two were synthesized in a laboratory environment in the 1980s which made them much easier to recognize. After they are found in nature, the minerals receive official classification and names.
Another potential new mineral is still being identified and classified. A paper is being prepared by scientists that describes the formation process that could lead to these minerals as well as what this means for formation of the El Ali meteorite.
“That’s my expertise – how you tease out the geologic processes and the geologic history of the asteroid this rock was once part of,” says Herd. “I never imagined I’d be involved with describing brand-new minerals just because I worked on a meteorite.
Nightfall, as an individual, was taken out of the spot where it had been for generations. It was then taken to Mogadishu in Somalia, the capital of Somalia, where it was weighed, before being seize by the Somalian government. It is not known what happened to it. However, Herd stated that there are reports that it was taken to China where meteorite dealers would likely cut it up and sell it.
Scientists are currently trying to find it. They hope to work with meteorite collectors, dealers, and collectors to acquire more pieces of the rock.
Herd concluded his presentation by saying, “There’s more material out there; scientists just need to get it in their hands so we can possibly find some new minerals.”
The announcement of the discovery was made at Space Exploration Symposium 2022.
