While Earth’s atmosphere is bombarded daily with tons of space material, only a small fraction survives the intense heat and friction of atmospheric entry to reach the surface. Most meteorites disintegrate completely, making large intact meteorites extremely rare. However, the meteorite that fell near El Ali, Somalia, is an extraordinary exception, weighing an incredible 16.5 tons (15 metric tonnes). This makes it the ninth-largest meteorite ever documented.

A small fragment of this celestial giant, weighing about 2.5 ounces (70 grams), was sent to the University of Alberta for analysis. There, scientists identified two minerals unlike anything previously found on Earth.

“When you discover a new mineral, it means the geological conditions and chemical composition of the rock are unique,” said Chris Herd, a professor in the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and curator of the university’s Meteorite Collection. “That’s what makes this discovery so exciting: this meteorite contains two minerals that are entirely new to science.”

The minerals, named elaliite and elkinstantonite, were relatively easy to confirm because they had been synthesized in laboratories before. By comparing their compositions, the research team was able to validate their findings quickly. The analysis was conducted at the university’s Electron Microprobe Laboratory.

The name elaliite honors the El Ali meteorite itself, while elkinstantonite pays tribute to Professor Lindy Elkins-Tanton, a leading scientist studying planetary cores and principal investigator of NASA's Psyche mission. Herd explained that Elkins-Tanton’s work on the formation of iron-nickel planetary cores made her a fitting namesake for one of the minerals.

Remarkably, a third mineral may also be present in the meteorite, though additional research is required to confirm its existence. Herd suggested that with access to more samples from the meteorite, there’s potential for further groundbreaking discoveries.

Unfortunately, future studies may face obstacles. The El Ali meteorite has reportedly been transported to China, where it is expected to be sold. Whether its new owner will permit additional scientific sampling remains uncertain, potentially halting further exploration of this cosmic treasure trove.