CI carbonaceous chondrites are true "time capsules" of the Solar System.
For almost a century and a half, a meteorite remained in the collection of the Russian Academy of Sciences, holding a secret that was only just revealed under the microscope. Scientists discovered a previously unknown mineral in the ancient Orgueil meteorite, which contains ammonium (NH₄⁺)—a compound extremely rare in celestial bodies. This discovery provides new evidence for the chemical processes that took place in the protoplanetary material of the early Solar System.
The Orgueil meteorite fell in France in 1864, and its fragments were introduced into the collection of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It belongs to the category of CI carbonaceous chondrites, the oldest and most "pure" cosmic rocks, and has been extensively studied for over a century and a half.
The discovery of nickel-boussingaultite
After 160 years, researchers identified nickel-boussingaultite in Orgueil, a mineral that contains ammonium in its structure. This is the first official confirmation of the existence of ammonium in substance of extraterrestrial origin, a fact that opens new avenues in understanding the chemical processes of the early Solar System.
"The ammonium most likely reached the parent asteroid through a substance containing water ice and ammonium. Subsequent processes on the asteroid formed this mineral, which was ultimately found along with the meteorite," explained Marina Ivanova, a leading researcher at the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The results of the study were published in the scientific journal American Mineralogist.
Why is this discovery important?
The new mineral provides critical information about the chemical evolution of the early Solar System. CI carbonaceous chondrites are considered "time capsules," as their composition is largely preserved intact from the formation of the Sun and planets.
The presence of ammonium in the meteorite suggests that nitrogen and water compounds were present in the protoplanetary material, which could be critical for the origin of organic chemistry and, possibly, for life. The discovery is characterized by scientists as a "letter from the past," revealing how matter from frozen asteroids could transfer important chemical elements to the planets.
How did ammonium form in the meteor?
According to the researchers, the parent asteroid of Orgueil initially contained water ice and ammonium. The heat and collisions on the asteroid caused chemical reactions that formed complex compounds, such as nickel-boussingaultite.
Over time, a fragment of the asteroid, containing the new mineral, entered Earth's orbit and fell near the village of Orgueil in 1864, leaving behind a unique scientific "archival material."
What are CI carbonaceous chondrites?
CI carbonaceous chondrites are true "time capsules" of the Solar System. They contain the oldest minerals, carbon compounds, water, amino acids, and complex organic compounds. The Orgueil meteorite is one of the five known meteorites of this type and is used as a reference point for studying cosmic matter and the chemical composition of the primordial solar material.
The discovery of ammonium in Orgueil is not only a significant contribution to geochemistry and astrochemistry, but also offers a rare glimpse into the way the basic chemical elements that may have led to the appearance of life on the planets were formed and transported.
www.bankingnews.gr
The Orgueil meteorite fell in France in 1864, and its fragments were introduced into the collection of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It belongs to the category of CI carbonaceous chondrites, the oldest and most "pure" cosmic rocks, and has been extensively studied for over a century and a half.
The discovery of nickel-boussingaultite
After 160 years, researchers identified nickel-boussingaultite in Orgueil, a mineral that contains ammonium in its structure. This is the first official confirmation of the existence of ammonium in substance of extraterrestrial origin, a fact that opens new avenues in understanding the chemical processes of the early Solar System.
"The ammonium most likely reached the parent asteroid through a substance containing water ice and ammonium. Subsequent processes on the asteroid formed this mineral, which was ultimately found along with the meteorite," explained Marina Ivanova, a leading researcher at the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The results of the study were published in the scientific journal American Mineralogist.
Why is this discovery important?
The new mineral provides critical information about the chemical evolution of the early Solar System. CI carbonaceous chondrites are considered "time capsules," as their composition is largely preserved intact from the formation of the Sun and planets.
The presence of ammonium in the meteorite suggests that nitrogen and water compounds were present in the protoplanetary material, which could be critical for the origin of organic chemistry and, possibly, for life. The discovery is characterized by scientists as a "letter from the past," revealing how matter from frozen asteroids could transfer important chemical elements to the planets.
How did ammonium form in the meteor?
According to the researchers, the parent asteroid of Orgueil initially contained water ice and ammonium. The heat and collisions on the asteroid caused chemical reactions that formed complex compounds, such as nickel-boussingaultite.
Over time, a fragment of the asteroid, containing the new mineral, entered Earth's orbit and fell near the village of Orgueil in 1864, leaving behind a unique scientific "archival material."
What are CI carbonaceous chondrites?
CI carbonaceous chondrites are true "time capsules" of the Solar System. They contain the oldest minerals, carbon compounds, water, amino acids, and complex organic compounds. The Orgueil meteorite is one of the five known meteorites of this type and is used as a reference point for studying cosmic matter and the chemical composition of the primordial solar material.
The discovery of ammonium in Orgueil is not only a significant contribution to geochemistry and astrochemistry, but also offers a rare glimpse into the way the basic chemical elements that may have led to the appearance of life on the planets were formed and transported.
www.bankingnews.gr
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