Siberian Mystery Meteorite Contains “Impossible to Naturally Exist” Crystal

Siberian Mystery Meteorite Contains “Impossible to Naturally Exist” Crystal

Natural Quasicrystal Discovered in Russian Meteorite Offers Clues to Early Solar System

Physicists have discovered a new natural quasicrystal embedded in a meteorite from northeastern Russia, marking only the third known type of quasicrystal ever found in nature. The sample, less than half a millimeter across, was recovered from the Khatyrka meteorite, a unique extraterrestrial object previously known to contain other natural quasicrystals.

Quasicrystals are an unusual state of solid matter. Unlike ordinary crystals, which have atoms arranged in a repeating and periodic lattice, quasicrystals exhibit ordered structures that never repeat. First theorized in the early 1980s by physicist Paul Steinhardt and later confirmed in synthetic materials, these structures defied the traditional definition of a crystal, prompting a reevaluation of crystallographic principles.

While over a hundred quasicrystal types have been synthesized in laboratories since 1982, only three distinct types have been identified in nature—all from the Khatyrka meteorite. Notably, this newly found quasicrystal had not been synthesized in the lab prior to its discovery, making it the first of its kind to be recognized in nature before artificial replication.

The newly identified quasicrystal shares structural similarities with the first type but differs in its precise chemical composition. Both are made of aluminum, copper, and iron, though in varying proportions. Its discovery provides important insights into the conditions under which quasicrystals can form naturally.

“This kind of discovery is extremely rare,” said Steinhardt, who led the research. “You’re searching through grains just tens to hundreds of microns in size inside a massive meteorite. Most people wouldn’t attempt it.”

The presence of quasicrystals in the Khatyrka meteorite is believed to result from high-pressure shock events, such as collisions between asteroids. These extreme environments likely created the temperatures and pressures necessary for quasicrystal formation—conditions difficult to replicate on Earth. By studying these natural samples, scientists hope to learn more about the physicochemical processes occurring during the early stages of the solar system.

One curious feature shared by all three quasicrystal types found in Khatyrka is the presence of metallic aluminum, which rarely exists in native form due to its strong affinity for oxygen. The meteorite’s isolated, oxygen-poor environment may have allowed such unusual compounds to form and persist.

Although practical applications for quasicrystals remain limited, their unique properties—such as low thermal conductivity, high structural stability, and non-stick surfaces—have inspired interest. Steinhardt even keeps a frying pan coated in a synthetic quasicrystal alloy to demonstrate their potential uses. Still, the search for more functional applications continues.

“None of the natural quasicrystals discovered so far have known technological applications,” said Paul Asimow, a geologist at Caltech and co-author of the study. “But it’s entirely possible that one day a quasicrystalline alloy will prove to be commercially or scientifically useful.”

The research was published in Scientific Reports and reinforces the idea that space can host exotic matter not yet observed on Earth. With this discovery, scientists are encouraged to continue exploring meteorites for more unknown and potentially groundbreaking materials.