Look at this #calcite crystal and its super strong birefringence, yielding two distinct optical paths! And yes, that's Captain Haddock, a subtle reference to the strong polarization effects in calcite sunstones, likely used as navigational aid by seafarers in the Viking Age. #MinCup25 #teamcalcite
Vote here (only a few hours left!):
Now for a match-up I actually care about in #MinCup25 ! I feared this.
Perovskite is such a potentially important part of our #solarpunk future... but I'm #TeamCalcite through, so there was never really a choice.
It's not that I don't like Rhodochrosite; I do. But people, don't let that distract you from the goal tonight - a win for Calcite in this round of #MinCup24. For the foraminifera, for the red algae, for the sea urchins - do it for the urchins!
A faithful and painful day in #MinCup24 - the battle of the carbonates: Rhodochrosite vs. Calcite.
One is a sink for calcium, the other for manganese. Both are cool, both are important, but only one of them is a major skeleton-forming mineral.
So it's #TeamCalcite today, but it will be #TeamCarbonate later.
People, what is wrong with you?
Why choose a mineral that comes in only one color when you can have a mineral that can come in all colors?
#MinCup24 #TeamCalcite
Philippe Smet
Henning
Dr. Or M. Bialik
