A Fiery Mineral Found in an Icy Asteroid Baffles Scientists

'Like finding a tropical seed in Arctic ice': How a surprise mineral could change the history of asteroid Ryugu

"Its occurrence is like finding a tropical seed in Arctic ice – indicating either an unexpected local environment or long-distance transport in the early solar system."

A Fiery Mineral Found in an Icy Asteroid Baffles Scientists

A tiny grain from asteroid Ryugu has revealed djerfisherite, a mineral that normally forms in scorching, oxygen-poor settings—conditions Ryugu was never thought to experience. The surprise find hints that the asteroid either endured unexpected heat spikes or captured exotic material transported across the early Solar System. Microscopy and chemical clues now challenge the idea that [...]

Scientists baffled by discovery of unexpected mineral on asteroid Ryugu

Djerfisherite found in Ryugu samples presents unexpected findings. It suggests a complex formation history of primitive asteroids, which could reshape understanding of Solar System's early material transport.