Natural β-MoSmolybdenite, delivered in Gunma Prefecture was imaged using scanning tunneling microscope(STM)under ambient condition. Before imaging,the crystal structure was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis and the lattice constants and the unit cell volume were determined as a＝0.31619(2) nm,c＝1.2305(2)nm and 0.10653(2)nm3,respectively. STM images of natural β-MoS1 clearly showed that the surface structure was (0001) basal plane as pioneering studies indicated. Conditions for STM sample preparation of natural minerals were briefly discussed and the usage of STM images in the lecture of crystallographic science for undergraduate level was considered
