Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis was the first to spot asteroid 16 Psyche. Discovered on 17 March 1852, it measures 278 x 238 x 171 km and has since been the subject of countless scientific studies. 16 Psyche is believed to consist mainly of metal – in addition to nickel, iron and cobalt, it also contains large quantities of precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. According to recent estimates, 16 Psyche is worth approximately 115 trillion US$. We will have more accurate information after 2029, when a probe launched in 2023 reaches the asteroid’s orbit. It is scheduled to circle 6 Psyche for approximately two years to gather more detailed information.
A unique asteroid consisting of 60 percent metal
The fact that 16 Psyche has been the subject of keen interest among scientists worldwide for over 170 years is due to the asteroid’s special properties: with an estimated metal content of 60 percent, it is as rich in metal as other planets such as Earth are usually only at their core. With a diameter of 226 kilometres, 16 Psyche is by far the largest metal asteroid in our universe. Scientists have been puzzling over how it was formed for a very long time. The simplest explanation, which is also the one put forward by the team of scientists at Arizona State University responsible for the research surrounding the launch of the probe, is that 16 Psyche is the remaining core of a large planet destroyed millions of years ago in violent collisions with other celestial bodies.
Launch of probe has purely scientific background
The probe, which will be sent into space in 2023, is not only intended to find clues as to whether the planetary core theory is realistic. It will also allow for general conclusions about the formation of our solar system and, ultimately, Earth. Whether 16 Psyche does contain as much gold as suspected is not the prime subject of the mission. Based on the current level of knowledge, mining is most likely impossible anyway and would be pointless from an economic point of view.