Chinese scientists have discovered a previously unknown mineral in lunar soil samples

Chinese scientists have discovered a previously unknown mineral in lunar soil samples brought back to Earth by the Chan'e-5 spacecraft.

It was reported that scientists named the mineral "Chan'e stone", but no other details were given.

It is the sixth new mineral discovered by humans on the Moon. China became the third country in the world to discover new minerals on the surface of the Moon.

Researchers isolated a single crystal particle about 10 microns in size from lunar soil samples and deciphered its structure. "Chan'e stone" is a phosphate mineral. It has a columnar crystal form. Chinese scientists say that this mineral is found in particles of lunar basalt (volcanic rock).