An Incredibly Rare Crystal On Earth Uncovered In A Russian Meteorite

An "impossible" rare crystal known as quasicrystal was found inside a Russian meteorite. The crystal is incredible and their atomic structure is distinctive.

The findings of the discovery were published in Scientific Reports. It was led by Luca Bindi, a geologist from the University of Florence in Italy, and other colleagues. The discovery is the third natural quasicrystal found and the first discovered in nature.

“quasicrystal from outer space … arrangements of atoms that defy expectations of crystalline behavior with their ‘… https://t.co/s82ZSmzZ9M

— Hrmtc Underground (@hrmtc) December 8, 2016

The team found the quasicrystal specimen in a grain of meteorite that landed in the Khatyrka in Russia five years ago. They were examining the meteorite and discovered the piece of quasicrystal inside. They said that there could be more of them out there, according to Science Alert.

Paul Steinhardt from Princeton University and one of the researchers said that what is encouraging is that they have already found three various types of quasicrystals in the same meteorite, and this new find has a chemical composition that has never been seen for a quasicrystal. He further said that there are more quasicrystals to be found, perhaps more those they did not know were possible before.

The team found that the composition of the new quasicrystal was made from a combination of copper, aluminum and iron atoms. They are all arranged just like the pentagon-based pattern on a soccer ball.

A quasicrystal is also referred to as quasiperiodic crystal, wherein it is a structure that is ordered but not periodic. It has a rare atomic structure that merges the symmetrical properties of a crystal and the amorphous solid. Its quasicrystalline pattern can continuously fill available space. Meanwhile, the regular crystals like diamonds, snowflakes and table salt are made up of atoms that are arranged in almost perfect symmetry.

The quasicrystals are rare in nature, yet they are simple to make in the lab. These include synthetic quasicrystals that are built into everything such as from frying pans to LED lights.