Zolenskyite
A monoclinic form of daubréelite composition, found in an enstatite chondrite.
Key facts
- Formula
- FeCr2S4
- Family
- Sulphides
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- First described
- the Indarch enstatite chondrite, 2020
Zolenskyite was approved as a new mineral in 2020 from the Indarch EH4 chondrite, which fell in Azerbaijan in 1891, and described in 2022. It is named after Michael Zolensky, an American cosmic mineralogist who has worked on meteorites, cosmic dust and returned samples.
What it is
Zolenskyite has the same composition as daubréelite, iron chromium sulphide, but the monoclinic structure of brezinaite rather than daubréelite's cubic spinel structure.
Where it is found
It occurs as tiny lamellae and grains intergrown with daubréelite and troilite in the Indarch enstatite chondrite. Indarch is also the type meteorite for roedderite and rudashevskyite.
How it is recognised
It is identified by electron backscatter diffraction, since it looks identical to daubréelite in reflected light.
Did you know?
Zolensky helped examine dust from comet Wild 2 and grains from the asteroid Itokawa.
Indarch has given at least three new minerals since it fell.