Brownleeite
| Brownleeite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Native element class, Fersilicite group |
| Formula (repeating unit) | MnSi |
| Strunz classification | 01.XX.00 |
| Dana classification | 01.01.23.07 |
| Crystal system | Isometric - Tetartoidal H-M Symbol (2 3) Space Group: P 213 |
| Identification | |
| Crystal habit | Cubic grain in microscopic dust particle (< 2.5 μm) |
| References | [1][2] |
Brownleeite is a silicide mineral with chemical formula MnSi. It was discovered by researchers of the Johnson Space Center in Houston while analyzing the Pi Puppid particle shower of the comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup.
Overview
The particles where collected from the stratosphere over south-western USA in April 2003 using an ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft of the NASA. The team of researchers from USA, Germany and Japan was led by NASA scientist Keiko Nakamura-Messenger.[3][4]
To determine the mineral's origin and examine other dust materials, a new transmission electron microscope was installed in 2005 at Johnson Space Center.[5]
The mineral name was approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA Nummer 2008-011).[6] The NASA scientists named the mineral after Donald E. Brownlee, professor of astronomy at the University of Washington, Seattle.[7]
See also
References
- ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Brownleeite.shtml Webmineral data
- ^ http://www.mindat.org/min-36014.html Mindat.org
- ^ University of Washington News of Juni 12, 2008
- ^ Newswise: Like a Rock: New Mineral Named for Astronomer Retrieved on June 15, 2008
- ^ NASA News Releases June 12, 2008: NASA Finds New Type of Comet Dust Mineral
- ^ Minerals approved by the IMA-CNMNC in June 2008
- ^ Universe Today June 12, 2008: Alien Mineral From Comet Dust Found in Earth's Atmosphere
External links
- "Brownleeite: The First New Mineral Identified From a Comet". Planetary Science Research Discoveries.
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