Galileiite
A rare sodium iron phosphate found in the metal of iron and stony-iron meteorites.
Key facts
- Formula
- NaFe4(PO4)3
- Family
- Phosphates
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- First described
- iron meteorites, late 1990s
Galileiite was described in the late 1990s from phosphate inclusions in iron meteorites and named after the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei. It is known only from meteorites.
What it is
Galileiite is a phosphate of sodium and iron. It is the sodium relative of olsenite, which has potassium in its place, though the two have different structures. Phosphates like these grow in iron meteorites as phosphorus in the metal combines with oxygen during slow cooling.
Where it is found
It occurs in small phosphate–sulphide inclusions in iron meteorites, often with troilite, graftonite and other iron phosphates, and has been reported from stony-iron meteorites.
How it is recognised
It is identified by microprobe analysis and X-ray diffraction, since it forms only tiny grains.
Did you know?
Galileo was among the first to look at the sky through a telescope, in 1609.
Iron meteorites hold more than a dozen different phosphate minerals.