As of 22:00 January 24, 2006, local time, China?痵 22nd expedition team collected 5,282 pieces of meteorites over the Grove Mountains, a statistics exceeding the combined total of meteorites collected by Chinese teams in the past. The efforts makes China?痵 treasury of Antarctic meteorites approach 10,000 in number.
The expedition constitutes the fourth of its kind made by the Chinese team over the Grove Mountains, marked by a booming meteorites collection and a record high for a single collection. The development narrows down China?痵 gap with Japan and the United States in Antarctic meteorites possession.
According to a briefing, the total weight of the collected meteorites reached 60.68 kg. Of the stones, one is believed a drop from the moon, or the first of its kind obtained by China over the continent. In addition, the expedition collects a large meteorite weighing 4.8 kg.
Apart from collecting meteorites, the expedition team studied advancing and withdrawal of ice covers, paleoclimate, geology, inland ice cover mapping, and satellite-ground measuring. The meteorites collection has been completed as scheduled. In the future expedition, the team will turn to other planned activities. |
