Old and new minerals found in lunar samples brought home by China's Chang'e-5 mission are helping scientists better understand the moon's history.
In 2020, Chang'e-5 returned 3.8 pounds (1.73 kilograms) of rocks and dust from Oceanus Procellarum (the Ocean of Storms), the largest dark region on the moon, which can be seen on its western edge. An analysis of these samples has revealed a new mineral, which has been named changesite-(Y), scientists reported in a paper published Wednesday (Feb. 6).
