The discovery means China is the third country to discover a new lunar mineral, following the United States and former Soviet Union.

A close up of a crystal of a new lunar mineral called which has been named Changesite-(Y). (Image credit: Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology)

Chinese scientists have found a new lunar mineral in the form of a crystal lurking inside samples collected from the moon in 2020.

Changesite–(Y), named for the mythological Chinese goddess of the moon, Chang’e, is a phosphate mineral and columnar crystal. It was found in lunar basalt particles being examined in laboratories in China.

The discovery was made by researchers at the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology who found a single crystal of Changesite–(Y) using X-ray diffraction while studying particles collected on the moon.

The finding was announced at a press conference on Sept. 9. The Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC (opens in new tab)) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) confirmed it as a new mineral, according (opens in new tab)to Chinese state media Global Times.

The discovery means China is the third country to discover a new lunar mineral, following the United States and former Soviet Union, which conducted the Apollo crewed lunar landings and Luna sample return missions, respectively.

The Chang'e 5 mission landed in Oceanus Procellarum in December 2020 and was the first lunar sample return mission since the 1970s. 

The mission collected 3.81 lbs (1.73 kilograms) of lunar samples and delivered them safely to Earth for study, leading to a range of discoveries.

China's next moon mission is expected to be Chang'e 6. It will attempt to collect the first samples from the far side of the moon which never faces the Earth.