NASA finds potato-shaped asteroid loaded with gold and platinum worth Rs 90.3 trillion

NASA Discovers Gold and Platinum-Rich Asteroid Near Earth (Image: NASA)

Psyche, also known as 16 Psyche, is a giant metal rich asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. Once believed to be mostly metal, it is now thought to contain a mix of rock and metal, possibly remnants of a planetary core. NASA’s Psyche mission, launched in October 2023, will study its composition, gravity and magnetic properties. Scientists hope the findings will shed light on how Earth and other rocky planets formed their cores.

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Far beyond Earth’s orbit, a strange metal rich world named Psyche circles the Sun, drawing intense scientific interest as researchers prepare to uncover whether it holds clues to the formation of planetary cores.

The asteroid 16 Psyche lies within the main asteroid belt. It travels between Mars and Jupiter. Its distance ranges from 235 to 309 million miles. That equals 2.5 to 3.3 astronomical units. One astronomical unit equals Earth’s solar distance. Psyche takes five Earth years to orbit. It spins once every four hours.

Shape and Composition of Psyche

Psyche has an irregular potato like shape. Its widest point measures 173 miles across. Its length reaches about 144 miles. The total surface area spans 64,000 square miles.

Scientists once believed Psyche was mostly metal. New evidence suggests mixed rock and metal. Metal may form 30% to 60%. Silicate materials likely share its structure. Researchers used radar and thermal inertia data. These methods reveal how surfaces retain heat.

Combined radar and optical imaging built models. A 3D reconstruction shows two craterlike depressions. Surface colour and metal content vary widely. Until spacecraft observations arrive, uncertainty remains.

NASA Psyche Mission and Exploration

The asteroid is target of NASA mission Psyche. The spacecraft launched in October 2023. It uses solar electric propulsion systems. The route includes a Mars flyby. Gravity assist will guide its journey.

Once in orbit, instruments will analyse composition. Tools include a multispectral imager and magnetometer. A gamma ray and neutron spectrometer operates onboard. A radio system will measure gravity precisely. Scientists aim to test core origin theory.

Researchers suspect Psyche holds planetary core remnants. It may be survivor of violent collisions. Such impacts were common early on. Those events shaped rocky planet formation. Studying Psyche may explain Earth’s core. It could clarify terrestrial planet evolution.

Discovery and Naming of 16 Psyche

Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis discovered Psyche in 1852. He named it after Greek goddess Psyche. She symbolised the soul in mythology. Because it was sixteenth discovered, numbering followed.

Today Psyche remains one of belt’s mysteries. Its metallic nature challenges existing theories. As spacecraft approaches, expectations steadily rise. The answers may reshape planetary science understanding.