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Minerals were found in a sample of just 70 grams of the meteorite;
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Compounds had already been synthesized in the laboratory in the past;
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Solid bodies were named elaliite and elkinstantonite, in honor of the city and a NASA scientist.
Scientists at the University of Alberta, Canada, announced this Monday (05) the discovery of two new minerals. Found in a 15-ton meteorite located in Somalia, this is the first time these solid bodies have been found in nature.
Called elaliite and elkinstantonite, the minerals were found in a sample of just 70 grams taken from the space rock. “I never thought I would be involved in describing new minerals just by virtue of working on a meteorite,” said Chris Herd, a scientist at the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences who analyzed the sample.
Known as El Ali, the meteor has been known to local people for generations, but was only identified by scientists two years ago. Its name is a reference to the district of El Ali where it is located.
Both Minas Gerais had already been synthesized in the laboratory in the past, which helped in the identification process. However, this is the first time they have been found in nature, and as it was found in a small sample of 70 grams, scientists estimate that further analysis of the meteorite could yield new discoveries of extraterrestrial minerals.
The alien minerals were named elaliite and eklinstantonite after them. The first in reference to El Ali, where they were found. The second mentions scientist Lindy Elkins-Tanton, leader of a NASA program that wants to send a special mission to a meteor rich in metals.
