Chinese scientists discover new mineral from lunar meteorite

Chinese scientists have discovered and identified the 11th new lunar mineral, named Cerium-Magnesium Changesite, according to the China Geological Survey on Wednesday.

The newly discovered Cerium-Magnesium Changesite is colorless, transparent and brittle, exhibits a glassy luster, and shows a distinct fluorescence effect. The grain size ranges from approximately three to 25 micrometers, typically less than 10 micrometers, which is roughly one twenty-fifth of the diameter of a human hair.

"Why it is new is that when it was formed, it experienced two different conditions. The physical condition was temperature and pressure, while the chemical condition was its element content. The discovery of a new mineral in extraterrestrial space would indicate that conditions once existed beyond Earth that have never occurred on our planet. If the same mineral is later found on Earth, it would suggest our planet once experienced similar conditions, allowing us to use it to infer and compare broader geological and celestial activities," Che Xiaochao, associate researcher of the Institute of Geology of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences.

The Cerium-Magnesium Changesite was found in the first lunar meteorite falling in China. It is a single spherical meteorite with a weight of 44 grams and a dark molten shell on its surface.

An expert said that the discovery of new minerals from lunar meteorites can not only broaden people's understanding of the universe, but also provide new formulas for the field of synthetic materials.

"Cerium-Magnesium Changesite is found to have a fluorescent effect, which has promising potential applications in producing LEDs. Its rare earth element ratio, its magnesium and iron content, as well as the characteristic changes in its crystal structure, can provide important references for synthetic materials," said Qu Kai, a member of the Commission of New Minerals and Mineral Names of the Chinese Society of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry.

Chinese scientists discover new mineral from lunar meteorite

The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who fell in action during the 1950-1953 War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, or the Korean War, were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at the Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets.

The aircraft received the highest aviation honor of a water salute at the airport. CPV veterans and other attendees welcomed the martyrs' remains at the airport.

The Y-20B used the call sign "Ronggui 50" (meaning glorious return), symbolizing that the heroes who departed for war in 1950 are finally making their glorious return home.

The remains and personal effects of the fallen soldiers were then transported to the CPV martyrs' cemetery under the escort of a police motorcycle team.

Along the route of about 30 kilometers, more than 70,000 people from all walks of life lined the streets, waving national flags and holding banners to welcome the martyrs home and pay their respect.

A burial ceremony for the CPV martyrs' remains is scheduled to take place at 10:00 Thursday at the cemetery.

Since 2014, China and the ROK have completed 13 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 1,023 CPV martyrs in the ROK. Wednesday's mission also marks the first time the Y-20B has been deployed for the repatriation duties.

Remains of 12 Chinese martyrs in Korean War returned to homeland from ROK