Chinese scientists found a new vapor-deposited digenite mineral in lunar soil retrieved by the Chang'e-5 mission, a rare copper-bearing mineral, according to the Institute of Geochemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The result provided evidence for the existence of a vapor-deposited copper-bearing sulfide mineral formed by an impact, said the institute, adding that it was the first time finding digenite mineral in a lunar sample.

According to the study, lunar surface is frequently bombarded by meteoroids and micrometeorites due to the lack of the protection of a magnetic field and atmosphere.

Vapor-deposits caused by impact is commonly present in lunar regolith materials, and can be accompanied by the production of unique mineral phases. Copper-bearing sulfides are relatively rare compared with other sulfide minerals, said the institute.

By using scanning and transmission electron microscopy technologies, a research team led by the institute's Li Yang found the presence of digenite mineral, the formation of which revealed vapor-deposition, the origin of a new type of copper-bearing sulfide, according to the institute.

The study was published in the journal Science Bulletin, an English academic journal supervised by CAS. (CGTN)