Chinese Scientists Discover Two New Lunar Minerals

Chinese scientists have discovered two new lunar minerals from samples brought back by the Chang’e-5 mission.

This marks the latest breakthrough following their first discovery of a lunar mineral, changesite-(Y), in 2022.

To date, the total number of new minerals identified from lunar samples worldwide has reached eight.

During the opening ceremony of China Space Day 2026, held in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan province, the China National Space Administration announced the two discoveries, named magnesiochangesite-(Y) and changesite-(Ce).

Both minerals have been officially approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association.