Discovery of a New Phosphide Mineral, Monipite (Monip), in an Allende Type B1 CAI

During our nano-mineralogy investigation of the Allende meteorite, a new phosphide mineral, monipite (MoNiP), was discovered in a Type B1 Ca-, Al-rich inclusion (CAI). Monipite, the Mo-, Nidominant analog of barringerite (Fe_2P), is named for the composition. It is probably a secondary product of the oxidation of Mo-phosphides and/or Prich alloys and reflects conditions during the alteration of CAIs. The mineral and its name have been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA 2007-033). We report here the first occurrence of monipite in nature and a new phase for CAIs.