Today, 19:27
The large asteroid Psyche, located in the constellation Capricorn, is valued at an astronomical quadrangle of $100,000 due to its precious metal content. However, new data from the space telescope NASA James Webb indicate the presence of rust on its surface.
© NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
Do an investigationpublished in Journal of Planetary Science, revealed the chemical signatures of hydroxyls – bonded oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Scientists suggest that hydroxyls interacted with the metal of the asteroid, creating rust.
The discovery could provide important information about the origin of Psyche and the early stages of the solar system. Hydroxyls could have reached the asteroid through meteorites or formed inside it, indicating the possibility of transport from outside the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Psyche is thought to be a planetary remnant, the building material for rocky planets like Earth. Studying this object can help explore the heart of our planet.
In October 2023 NASA the launch of the Psyche spacecraft, which is expected to reach the asteroid in mid-2029, opening a new perspective in understanding its chemical composition and history.
