A NASA mission called Psyche is about to launch on a mission out to an unusual asteroid that's scientists believe is largely composed of metal.
An artist's conception of the Psyche spacecraft approaching an asteroid that's largely composed of metal.
Researchers believe the asteroid might have craters that are ringed with iron spikes, says Elkins-Tanton, because an impact might send up streams of molten metal that then solidify. The asteroid might also have huge metal cliffs, and the remnants of greenish-yellow lava flows.This artist's conception shows what a metal-rich asteroid like Psyche might look like, but scientists really aren't sure what they'll see.
Since asteroids are leftovers from when the planets formed, Elkins-Tanton says Psyche is like an exposed version of what lurks at the center of rocky planets."We're trying to understand about the metal core of the Earth," she says, noting that Mars and Venus and Mercury also have metal cores."We are never, ever going to go to those cores — way too hot, way too deep — so this is our one way to see a core.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
NASA's Psyche metal asteroid mission launches this week: Here's what you need to knowRobert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.’s Open University. Follow him on Twitter sciencef1rst.
Weiterlesen »
6 Fast Facts: NASA’s Asteroid-Exploring Psyche MissionScience, Space and Technology News 2023
Weiterlesen »
NASA’s asteroid-bound Psyche mission faces possible delayNASA is planning to launch its Psyche spacecraft this week for a rendezvous with an asteroid, but at the current time it looks like the lift-off may be delayed.
Weiterlesen »
A Slim 20%: Weather Concerns for NASA’s Psyche Rocket LaunchScience, Space and Technology News 2023
Weiterlesen »
5 Things to Know About NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications - NASASlated to launch on Oct. 12 with the Psyche mission, DSOC will demonstrate technologies enabling the agency to transmit higher data rates from deep space.
Weiterlesen »
NASA’s Webb Captures an Ethereal View of NGC 346 - NASADownload the full-resolution version from the Space Telescope Science Institute.
Weiterlesen »