Liuite
Ilmenite composition in the perovskite structure, found in a shock-melt pocket in Shergotty.
Key facts
- Formula
- FeTiO3
- Family
- High-pressure minerals
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- First described
- the Shergotty Martian meteorite, 2017
Liuite was approved as a new mineral in 2017 from the Shergotty shergottite. It is named after Lin-gun Liu, a pioneer of high-pressure mineral experiments, after whom lingunite is also named. It is known only from meteorites.
What it is
Liuite has the chemistry of ilmenite, iron titanium oxide, but the perovskite structure, in which iron sits in large cages between linked titanium–oxygen groups. Experiments show that ilmenite turns into this form at high pressure. The natural grains also contain a surprising amount of sodium.
Where it is found
It occurs with tschaunerite and feiite in a shocked ulvöspinel grain in Shergotty.
How it is recognised
It is identified with the electron microprobe and electron backscatter diffraction.
Did you know?
When the pressure on liuite falls, it can change into wangdaodeite, another meteorite mineral.
Two minerals, liuite and lingunite, honour the same scientist.