Scientists have sent space probes to rocky asteroids and icy comets. But this year, for the first time, a spacecraft set out for the mysterious metal realm!
This year, some very interesting space missions will begin. And Psyche’s mission couldn’t be ignored. In August 2022, the Psyche spacecraft will explode in the sky and head for the asteroid of the same name, which as seen from Earth, lurks as a mysterious blurring point in the asteroid belt. Why is this space rock of interest to researchers? Unlike most asteroids, Psyche is not composed of rock or ice, but is very rich in minerals.
Spirit
The mineral-rich asteroid psyche is a very large specimen. It has a diameter of at least 210 kilometers. However, not much is known about the asteroid. In images taken by the telescope, Psyche appears as a blurry spot, a hard-to-determine location from Earth. The scientists concluded from radar data that the asteroid was shaped somewhat like a potato and rotated on its side. But that’s where it ends.
More about yourself
The asteroid Psyche was discovered on March 17, 1852 by the Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis. Space rocks are located in the asteroid belt, which lies between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. Saiki has a diameter of about 200 km, and is one of the largest asteroids. In addition, due to its density, it is one of the ten largest asteroids between Mars and Jupiter. The name Psyche comes from Greek mythology, where Psyche was the lover of the god of love Eros.
This mysterious character has not only attracted the attention of researchers, but the fact that Psyche is rich in minerals also raises interesting questions. By analyzing the light reflected from the asteroid, the scientists hypothesized that space rocks — such as Earth’s core — are primarily composed of iron and nickel. One possible explanation for this is that Psyche formed early in our solar system. An asteroid might represent an exposed protoplanetary core, which has somehow lost its rocky outer layer.
answer the question
We may have an answer in a few years. Because NASA plans to visit the asteroid privately. first. Because no spacecraft has ever traveled to the metal realm. This means that the expedition will explore unexplored areas. Not only do the researchers hope to answer the question of how Psyche once saw daylight, the mission should also provide more insight into how our solar system was used in childhood.
Image of the Psyche spacecraft that will study the asteroid of the same name. Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
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So Psyche might be able to help us answer fundamental questions about the formation of our solar system. “If it turns out to be part of a metallic core, it could be part of the first generation of early nuclei in our solar system,” said researcher Lindy Elkins Tanton. However, this is still just speculation. We won’t know for sure until we get there. It will truly be a journey of discovery.”
“This will truly be a journey of discovery.”
Equipment
The main challenge when designing tasks is choosing the right tool. Because how do you make sure you get the data you need if you’re not sure what exactly you’re going to measure? In the end, the team chose a magnetometer that could measure any magnetic field. The spacecraft is also equipped with a camera to photograph and map Psyche’s surface and a spectrometer to determine what the surface is made of using emitted gamma rays and neutrons.
release
But before scientists can use this tool, the spacecraft must first cover a distance of 2.4 billion kilometers. After launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in August 2022, the spacecraft will pass by our closest neighbor Mars about nine months later. The probe will use Mars’ gravity to propel itself toward the asteroid. Then it orbited around Psyche; First at an altitude of 700 km above the surface and then descending to a final altitude of 85 km. In total, the Psyche spacecraft will spend about 21 months with the asteroid, carefully mapping it and studying its unusual properties.
The path of the Psyche spacecraft as it heads to the asteroid of the same name. Photo: NASA
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The spacecraft is not expected to reach Seiki until 2026. But before that, the mission team will have its cameras turned on. And finally we will know what the faint fog that we now observe through the telescope looks like. So for the first time, the surface features of this strange and distant world will be revealed.
Special mission
It promises to be a special mission. Because it means we travel for the first time to a “metal core” hidden deep within an Earth-like planet. For example, the Earth’s core is inaccessible and hidden deep beneath the mantle and crustaceans. But the asteroid Psyche gives us unique insights into the building blocks of planet formation and the opportunity to study previously undiscovered worlds.
Researchers hope the mission will solve many mysteries about asteroids: where did they come from, what are they made of, and what does it tell us about how our solar system formed? “Humans have always been explorers,” said Elkins Tanton. “We wanted to know what lay beyond the next hill, and that seemed to be ingrained in us. At the moment we don’t know exactly what we’ll find. But I think we’ll be quite surprised.”
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