xenomineralogists

Xenomineralogy is a hypothetical field of study concerned with the identification, classification, and analysis of minerals originating from extraterrestrial sources. While terrestrial mineralogy focuses on Earth's geological formations, xenomineralogy would extend this discipline to celestial bodies such as asteroids, comets, planets, and moons. Xenomineralogists would investigate the composition, structure, and formation processes of these alien minerals, often utilizing samples obtained through space missions, meteorite analysis, or potentially future extraterrestrial mining operations.

The study of xenomineralogy would aim to understand the geological evolution of other worlds, compare and contrast their mineralogy with Earth's, and potentially identify novel mineral species or variations of known minerals formed under vastly different conditions. This could include minerals formed under extreme pressures, temperatures, or atmospheric compositions not found on Earth. Such research could also have implications for astrobiology, by providing insights into the potential for life-supporting environments elsewhere in the universe. Meteorite analysis is currently the primary source of extraterrestrial mineral samples for study, offering clues about the early solar system and the diverse processes that have shaped planets and other bodies.