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Russian scientists revealed minerals contained in Chebarkul meteorite 
Interfax News Agency 
March 1, 2013  
 
Experts from the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Russian 
Academy of Sciences have studied two pieces of the meteor that exploded 
over Chelyabinsk on Feb. 15. 
 
The studies have determined that the main minerals of the pieces are the 
silicates olivine and orthopyroxene. 
 
The pieces also contain ferric sulphide, nickel sulphide, native metals 
such as nickel meteor iron (kamacite and taenite), chromite, 
clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and feldspathic glass. 
 
"The geologists said there is a probability that some iron phosphide may 
have been found among the elements. The scientists also said they have 
received information on the presence of volatile components in the 
meteor," the report says. 
 
This tentative information is very significant for the reconstruction of 
the early stages of development of the solar system. It is believed that 
meteors are the substance of which planets were formed, the report says. 
 
The meteor pieces were forwarded to the experts by teachers from 
Novosibirsk who were in the village of Emanzhelinka, Chelyabinsk region, 
when the meteor landed. 
 
According to earlier reports, a meteor exploded over the Chelyabinsk 
region on Feb. 15. The shock wave broke windows in buildings and destroyed  
the roof of buildings, both residential and industrial. Over 1,200 people  
were injured and the total damage done by the accident is estimated at some 1 
billion. Experts believe this accident was impossible to predict. 
 
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