In total, the expedition collected about 30 kg of samples for further study in the laboratories of the Ural Federal University
The participants of the first Russian meteorite expedition of the Ural Federal University (UrFU) plan to establish the origin of rock samples collected in Antarctica within six months. The rector of UrFU Viktor Koksharov told about it to the journalists.
“The Antarctic expedition was successful despite the extreme weather conditions in which the scientists worked. In total, the team collected about 30 kg of samples for further study in the laboratories of the university - this process can take about six months. It is safe to say that today UrFU is becoming a center for the study of meteorite matter,”he said.
According to Professor Viktor Grokhovsky, member of the RAS Meteorites Committee, two discovered meteorites have already been named LOM 15001 and LOM 15002. “This is an international classification designating the place of collection - in this case, the Lomonosov Mountains. The expedition has two key outcomes: firstly, our scientists showed that it is possible to work in field teams outside the station and organize the collection of materials there, and secondly, we made sure that Antarctica is a unique source for conducting such studies, which we must continue,”added the professor.
Grokhovsky also noted that most of the rock samples are awaiting departure from the Novolazarevskaya station. “Now we will start examining the existing samples, the rest will be delivered in May. It has already been established that one of the meteorites does not have magnetic properties, which is unusual for Antarctic meteorites. After determining the classification, we will carry out X-ray, isotopic and many other studies,”he said.
Russian scientists stayed in Antarctica from December 20 to January 10, the work took place on the territory of the Queen Maud Land, which is located 100 km from the Russian station "Novolazarevskaya". In total, scientists managed to collect more than 300 rock samples for further research, two of which have already been classified as meteorites. Studying them will allow scientists to obtain new information about the origin of the universe and the future of the planet.
The Antarctic Meteorite Expedition is the first scientific project in the history of modern Russia to search for meteorite matter on the southernmost continent. It is part of the 61st Russian Antarctic Expedition. The budget of the expedition is estimated at about 8-12 million rubles, most of which - for scientific research - was provided by the Ural Federal University.