Researchers suggest that they are formed under the influence of high temperature and high pressure.
Scientists have discovered previously unseen types of crystals in meteorite dust. They were collected from the dust of the Chelyabinsk meteorite that fell on the territory of Russia nine years ago. Science Alert writes about it.
The weight of the meteorite is 11 thousand metric tons, and the diameter is 18 meters. As you know, he entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of 66,950 km / h and exploded 23.3 km above Chelyabinsk. This phenomenon is the largest since the Tunguska meteorite crashed in Russia in 1908.
Today, researchers examined tiny dust particles that settled on the surface after the eruption of the Chelyabinsk meteorite, which left a record four-day dust plume in the atmosphere. The meteorite dust fell on a fresh layer of snow and was covered with another. This allowed scientists to obtain rare samples of meteorite dust.
Thus, experts stumble upon an unknown type of crystals. A large number of previously unseen crystals have two shapes: almost spherical and hexagonal.
It is already known that crystals are composed of layers of graphite, which surround a central nanocluster located in the center of the crystal.
Photo: Taskaev et al.
A new type of crystal
Recall that a meteorite fell on Earth on February 15, 2013. An asteroid measuring 17-20 meters entered the atmosphere and exploded at a distance of about 30 kilometers from Chelyabinsk. The shock waves generated by the meteorite caused damage to many buildings; In all, more than a thousand people suffered from the meteorite crash. Later, geologists spoke about the nature of the Chelyabinsk meteorite.
Chelyabinsk meteorite “scared” museum staff
News from Athletistic in the Telegram. Subscribe to our channel Athletistic
Source: korrespondent
