Exploring the Mysteries of Asteroid Psyche: A New Perspective
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Chapter 1: The Psyche Mission Unveiled
A groundbreaking mission is set to launch soon, aiming to study the intriguing asteroid, 16 Psyche. This celestial body was long thought to be primarily composed of iron, leading to speculation that it might represent the core of a larger planet that either failed to fully develop or was obliterated during a collision. Notably, one report from last year even estimated the value of the metals found on Psyche at an astonishing $10 quintillion. Yes, you read that right.
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Section 1.1: New Research Findings
However, recent studies published in JGR: Planets now indicate that Psyche might not be as metallic as once believed. While the asteroid’s surface reflects light in a manner that suggests a metallic structure, the measurements of its mass and density tell a different story. According to the press release, the gravitational influence Psyche exerts on nearby objects implies that it is significantly less dense than one would expect from a solid mass of iron. If Psyche is indeed composed entirely of metal, it would have to be remarkably porous — akin to a large ball of steel wool with an almost equal ratio of voids to solid material.
Subsection 1.1.1: Insights from the Research Team
Lead author Fiona Nichols-Fleming explains, “Our aim with this research was to determine whether an iron body the size of Psyche could retain such high porosity.” The findings suggest that maintaining near-50% porosity is highly improbable.
For Psyche to remain so porous, its internal temperature after formation would have had to stay relatively cool at around 800 Kelvin. Otherwise, the iron would remain malleable, and the asteroid’s gravity would likely have collapsed the pores, resulting in a denser object. Given that Psyche spans approximately 250 kilometers, it would not have cooled quickly enough to maintain such a state. Furthermore, any impacts that might have introduced porosity would have elevated the temperature beyond 800 Kelvin, negating the possibility of a porous structure.
Section 1.2: The Ferrovolcanism Hypothesis
This new model hints that Psyche could possess a rocky component contributing to its overall lower density. But why does it appear so metallic from our vantage point on Earth? Enter the concept of ferrovolcanism—volcanoes that emit iron. Such phenomena might have occurred on Psyche, potentially bringing internal iron to the surface, creating a metallic appearance.
With the Psyche mission on the horizon, anticipation is building. Scheduled to launch later this year, it is expected to reach the asteroid by 2026. We will keep you updated on developments and cover the launch as it happens.
The first video titled "PSYCHE: What is the CORE OF A PLANET Worth? - Intrepid Astro Live - YouTube" delves into the value and significance of the Psyche mission, exploring its potential implications for our understanding of planetary cores.
The second video, "One Month From Launch: Psyche Mission to a Metal Asteroid (Live Briefing) - YouTube," provides an overview of the upcoming mission, highlighting key objectives and what scientists hope to learn.
More Information
- Brown press release
- "Porosity Evolution in Metallic Asteroids: Implications for the Origin and Thermal History of Asteroid 16 Psyche," Fiona Nichols-Fleming, Alexander J. Evans, Brandon C. Johnson, and Michael M. Sori, 2022 February 1, JGR: Planets
This article was created for the Daily Space podcast/YouTube series. For more updates from Dr. Pamela Gay and Erik Madaus, visit DailySpace.org.