Asteroid 16 Psyche

Asteroid 16 Psyche is one of the top enormous objects in the asteroid belt in our solar system. Asteroid 16 Psyche is located between Mars and Jupiter and is around 370 million kilometres away from the Earth. This asteroid gets its name from the nymph Psyche, who married Cupid, son of the Greek goddess Venus. Italian astronomer Annibale de Gaspard first discovered it in 1853.

It has a potato-like shape, and scientists believe it is a part of a planet whose formation could not be completed. Its diameter is around 140 miles.

Facts about Asteroid 16 Psyche

On March 17, 1853, the astronomer Annibale de Gaspard first discovered the Asteroid 16 Psyche. It is an M-type asteroid, and its diameter is approximately 225 kilometres.

The orbital period of the Asteroid 16 Psyche is about five Earth years. Scientists believe it mainly comprises large and dense metallic objects that make this asteroid unique from regular asteroids made of rock or ice.

In the latest study, researchers observed this asteroid using ultraviolet light to get a clearer image of its composition. Researchers found that Psyche could mainly consist of iron and nickel. Scientists also believe that Asteroid 16 Psyche is similar to the Earth's core.

Significance of Asteroid 16 Psyche

The Asteroid 16 Psyche holds great importance because of these reasons:

• Asteroids generally consist of ice or rock, but 16 Psyche is an exception as it comprises metallic elements like iron and nickel. Researchers believe this asteroid to be similar to the core of the planet, and its components can be experimented with to study the evolution of planets.
• NASA's study suggests that the asteroid is close to 10,00 quadrillion US dollars.
• It is impossible for scientists to see or measure Earth's core directly; Asteroid 16 Psyche offers an opportunity to study the violent history of collisions and accretion that created terrestrial planets.

What is NASA's Mission Psyche?

NASA intends to launch the Mission Psyche by 2022, primarily focusing on studying Asteroid 16 Psyche. The key points regarding this mission include:

• NASA targeted this mission to launch by August 2022
• According to current studies, the Psyche spacecraft shall land on the asteroid by early 2026
• After the spacecraft reaches its destination, it will map and study the 16 Psyche's properties using a gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, ration instrument, and magnetometer.
• This mission aims to collect, analyse, and conclude the information about its asteroid to see whether it is a part of a lost planet.

Asteroid 16 Psyche has metallic elements, mainly iron and nickel. These observations have been made based on the visible, infrared wavelengths and Hubble Space Telescope. The scientists observed how Psyche reflected ultraviolet light, similar to how irons reflect sunlight. However, iron can dominate UV observation. The only way to learn Psyche's actual composition is thus to study it closely.

FAQs on Asteroid 16 Psyche

Q.1) What is Asteroid 16 Psyche?

On March 17, 1853, the astronomer Annibale de Gaspard first discovered the Asteroid 16 Psyche. It is an M-type Asteroid 16 Psyche, and its diameter is approximately 225 kilometres.

Q.2) Where is Asteroid 16 Psyche located?

Asteroid 16 Psyche is located between Mars and Jupiter and is around 370 million kilometres away from the Earth.

Q.3) What is the shape of Asteroid 16 Psyche?

Asteroid 16 Psyche has a potato-like shape, and scientists believe it is a part of a planet whose formation could not be completed. Its diameter is around 140 miles.

Q.4) What is the orbital period of Asteroid 16 Psyche?

The orbital period of Asteroid 16 Psyche is about five Earth years.

Q.5) Who plans to launch Mission Psyche to study Asteroid 16 Psyche?

NASA intends to launch the Mission Psyche by 2022, primarily focusing on studying Asteroid 16 Psyche.