Meteorite Discovered in Taklimakan Desert, Shanghai Planetarium Deciphers its “Identity”
The Shanghai Planetarium has made an exciting discovery – a batch of meteorites was found in the southern part of the Taklimakan Desert in December last year. Following testing by the Shanghai Planetarium Meteorite Laboratory, the identity of these meteorites has now been deciphered. The scientific research team has determined that these meteorites are Vesta’s “Calcium Everlasting Glow” Long achondrite (Eucrite). This marks the sixth achondrite meteorite discovered in China. The laboratory is currently working on supplementing quantitative analysis data to obtain more detailed and comprehensive scientific conclusions.
Vesta meteorites are estimated to be around 4.5 billion years old. This discovery is significant, as meteorites play a crucial role in understanding the formation and evolution of the solar system. Lin Qing, Director of the Shanghai Planetarium Astronomy Research Center, explained that meteorites provide important information about the beginning of the solar system, owing to their long history and preservation of their original structures.
The Shanghai Planetarium not only boasts a large collection of meteorites, but also has the ability to study meteorites. The museum recently launched a large-scale meteorite laboratory instrument, equipped with the capabilities for meteorite sample preparation to laboratory analysis.
Consultant to the Shanghai Planetarium Meteorite Laboratory, Zhang Bo, received news of the meteorite discovery in the Taklimakan Desert in December last year. Upon visual inspection, Zhang Bo identified the meteorites as the Eucrite type and subsequently sent samples to the Shanghai Planetarium Meteorite Laboratory for scientific testing.
Following laboratory analysis, the scientific research team confirmed that the discovered meteorites exhibit a monoclastic breccia structure and contain basaltic minerals, similar to Vesta meteorites. It is estimated that over 40 kilograms of meteorites were discovered this time, with the largest one weighing 2.5 kilograms.
The discovery is particularly notable as the Taklimakan Desert poses significant challenges for meteorite discovery due to its harsh natural conditions. This is the first time a meteorite has been found in the southern part of the desert. Researchers believe that the meteorite may have fallen within the past year and exploded upon impact.
The Shanghai Planetarium’s continued research and discoveries in the field of meteorites serve to deepen our understanding of the solar system’s formation and evolution.
(Editors: Yan Yuan, Xuan Zhaoqiang)