Unveiling the Mystery: NASA's Thrilling Voyage to an Enigmatic Metallic World

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Scientists say that in order to determine if the asteroid named Psyche is actually the rare exposed core of an early planetary building block, a closer examination is necessary. This metal-rich asteroid can be found in the main asteroid belt, situated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft named Psyche, after which the asteroid is named, is projected to launch on Thursday.

Unlike previous missions such as OSIRIS-REx which targeted near-Earth asteroids that could pose a threat to our planet, Psyche does not present any danger to Earth. Situated approximately 235 million to 309 million miles (378 million to 497 million kilometers) away from the sun, this colossal celestial body will be the focus of the mission. Upon reaching Psyche's orbit in 2029, the mission will extensively study the asteroid over a span of two years using a variety of scientific instruments, aiming to ascertain its authentic characteristics.

This illustration depicts how scientists envision the Psyche asteroid.

Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis discovered the asteroid on March 17, 1852. Psyche, named after the Greek goddess of the soul, is the largest metallic asteroid in our solar system.

"Psyche exemplifies the M-type asteroids, being the prime example," stated Dr. Zoe Landsman, science advisor at the Exolith Laboratory, University of Central Florida, in an email. "Among this enigmatic and peculiar asteroid group, Psyche stands out as the largest, strangest, and most enigmatic."

As per NASA, this celestial body, resembling a lumpy, potato-shaped rock, spans approximately 173 miles (nearly 280 kilometers) at its broadest point and stretches 144 miles (232 kilometers) in length.

According to radar and telescope observations, Psyche asteroid is believed to be made up of iron and small amounts of nickel and other metals, which are common in the solar system. However, its density suggests that it is not entirely composed of solid metal. Psyche also contains some rocky material and silicate, similar to the substances found in glass and sand.

Researchers hypothesize that Psyche originated as the iron-rich core of a planetesimal, a building block of early planets. It is considered to be similar to Earth and other terrestrial planets in the solar system. As time passed, Psyche underwent collisions with other rocky objects, resulting in the loss of its outer crust and mantle, leaving only its metallic core intact.

Landsman suggested that Psyche might be an ancient object that did not undergo the separation into crust, mantle, and core. This possibility poses another significant question that the mission can address. In February 2022, new observations of Psyche were conducted using NASA's retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, which involved a Boeing 747SP aircraft equipped with a reflecting telescope. These observations provide further evidence that Psyche is composed of an iron-rich core.

The Psyche spacecraft will spend about two years studying its namesake asteroid.

According to Anicia Arredondo, lead author of a recent paper on Psyche and a postdoctoral researcher at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, every publication focusing on the study of Psyche generates additional inquiries.

Arredondo presented her findings on Monday at the joint 2023 Annual Meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences and Europlanet Science Congress in San Antonio. Our discoveries indicate that the asteroid is highly intricate and may contain numerous additional revelations. The prospect of encountering the unknown is among the most exhilarating aspects of an expedition focused on investigating an uncharted celestial body. Consequently, we eagerly anticipate obtaining a more comprehensive comprehension of Psyches' origins.

Studying Psyche could provide crucial insights into the formation of planets, according to scientists. Although the metallic cores of Earth, Mercury, and Mars are inaccessible due to their deep location beneath the rocky shells, delving into Psyche might offer a means to unravel these mysteries. Confirming Psyche as an exposed metallic core through mission observations would enable astronomers to uncover the truth about our planet's innermost structure. Additionally, the spacecraft's instruments will search for indications of differentiation on the asteroid's surface, which occurs when elements segregate within a planet and cause dense materials like metals to sink and form a central core.

Mysterious planet-like objects can be seen for the first time in this image of the inner Orion Nebula and Trapezium Cluster.

NASA/ESA/CSA

Unprecedented discovery seems to defy fundamental astronomical theories

"Personally, I am curious about the appearance of this object!" Landsman exclaimed. "We have never had a close-up view of the surface of a metallic planet. Unlike asteroids, which lack an atmosphere to shield them from space, metal worlds undergo weathering due to the impacts of micrometeorites and radiation. What would this space weathering look like on a metallic planet?"

According to a 2020 study, it was suggested that a chunk of iron the size of Psyche could be worth quadrillions of dollars. However, Dr. Philip Metzger, a planetary physicist at the University of Central Florida's Florida Space Institute, explained that it is difficult to assign such a massive value to Psyche. While mining operations on nearby asteroids may soon prove profitable, Psyche is situated too far away to be a viable target."

Metzger explained that if all the metal present on Psyche were to be retrieved, it would cease to hold its rarity and its value would dramatically decrease. Additionally, due to the significant distance of Psyche in outer space, the exorbitant transportation expenses would render any potential profits unattainable.