Brownleeite

Brownleeite
General
CategoryNative element class, Fersilicite group
FormulaMnSi
IMA symbolBwn
Strunz classification1.XX.00
Dana classification01.01.23.07
Crystal systemIsometric
Crystal classTetartoidal (23)
H-M symbol: (23)
Space groupP213
Identification
Crystal habitCubic grain in microscopic dust particle (< 2.5 μm)
References

Brownleeite is a silicide mineral with chemical formula MnSi. It was discovered by researchers of the Johnson Space Center in Houston in April 2003 while analyzing the Pi Puppid particle shower of the comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup. The only other known natural manganese silicide is mavlyanovite, Mn5Si3.