Scientists proudly display oldest crystal on Earth
{{missing image|Image:Zircon crystal NASA Img.jpg|thumb|World's oldest tiny zircon at 4.4 billion years}}
{{date|April 10, 2005}}

A tiny piece of rock 4.4 billion years old went on display in {{w|Wisconsin}}, {{w|USA}} Sunday for one day only. A jazz band played music, with rocks for percussion, which they said might be appropriate for displaying the bit of {{w|zircon}} crystal, barely two human hairs wide.

The tiny gem was found in {{w|Australia}} in 1984, and analyzed in 2001 by experts, and has led to the reappraisal of early {{w|Earth}}.

{{w|University of Wisconsin–Madison}} geophysicist Professor John Valley said his work proved the crystal could only have formed in a low-temperature environment.

"The whole thing is something that captures your imagination," he told reporters.
"This is our first glimpse into the earliest history of the Earth. The miraculous thing about the crystal is that we've been able to make such wide-ranging inferences about the early Earth." 

The exhibit was under police guard. The tiny sliver will return to Australia with a professor from {{w|Curtin University of Technology}} in {{w|Perth}}, who discovered it in 1984. It will go to a museum.
{{Haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.indystar.com/articles/6/235753-4296-010.html|title=Jazz mixes with old-time rock|author=Ryan J. Foley (AP) |pub=IndyStar.com |date=April 10, 2005}}
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4429099.stm BBC NEWS | Americas | Earth's oldest object on display] April 10, 2005

{{publish}}
{{archive}}

[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Geology]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Jazz]]

[[pt:Cientistas orgulhosamente exibem o mais antigo cristal da Terra]]
A tiny piece of rock 4.4 billion years old went on display in USA Sunday for one day only. A jazz band played music, with rocks for percussion, which they said might be appropriate for displaying the bit of  crystal, barely two human hairs wide.

The tiny gem was found in Earth.

 geophysicist Professor John Valley said his work proved the crystal could only have formed in a low-temperature environment.

"The whole thing is something that captures your imagination," he told reporters.
"This is our first glimpse into the earliest history of the Earth. The miraculous thing about the crystal is that we've been able to make such wide-ranging inferences about the early Earth." 

The exhibit was under police guard. The tiny sliver will return to Australia with a professor from Perth, who discovered it in 1984. It will go to a museum.

Cientistas orgulhosamente exibem o mais antigo cristal da Terra
Science and technology Oceania North America Australia United States Physics Geology Culture and entertainment Music Jazz