Astronomers measure the temperature of the most expensive asteroid
The asteroid Psyche consists of expensive metals, whose total cost can reach 10,000 quadrillion dollars, scientists from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena confirmed. They have compiled an accurate temperature map of the site to identify the rocks it contains, according to The Daily Mail.
Psyche is an M-class asteroid about 200 kilometers wide. It orbits in the Main Asteroid Belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Many scientists believe that this is the core of a failed planet. The authors of a new study using the ALMA telescope complex in Chile were able to establish that its surface is 30% metal, and boulders on the surface are dotted with metal grains. This data will be useful for NASA's mission, which is scheduled to launch in 2026.
An array of 66 radio telescopes allowed the team to map thermal emissions from the entire surface of Psyche with a resolution of 30 kilometers. In the dataset, each pixel is 30×30 km, and when they are combined, an asteroid image is created, consisting of approximately 50 pixels. It contains much more information than typical single pixel images.
The study confirmed that Psyche's thermal inertia is high compared to a typical asteroid, indicating an unusually dense or conductive surface. Thermal radiation was 60% higher than expected. Since surface radiation is affected by the presence of metal on the surface, scientists have concluded that Psyche's surface is at least 30 percent metal.
The smooth, hard surface emits a bright light, but Psyche's glow was diffused. This indicates that the surface rocks are dotted with metal grains.
“We have known for many years that objects of this class are actually not solid metal, but what it is and how they formed is still a mystery,” the authors of the scientific work noted.
Earlier it was reported that two red asteroids were found in the Main Belt. They turned out to be rich in organic matter.
