An asteroid worth $10 quintillion—yes, that’s $10,000,000,000,000,000,000—has captivated scientists and economists alike. Named 16 Psyche, this rare asteroid isn’t made of rock or ice like most. Instead, it’s believed to be composed mostly of metal, including iron, nickel, and possibly gold, resembling the Earth’s core.
Discovered with the help of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), researchers were surprised to detect rust on its surface. Rust implies the presence of water—specifically hydroxyl molecules (OH) interacting with the asteroid’s metal.
Signs of water on Psyche were first noted in 2017, but JWST has offered stronger evidence of hydration. The rust effect suggests that metal and water are interacting, which may offer clues to the asteroid’s history and the early formation of planets.
NASA launched the Psyche mission on October 13, 2023, aiming to reach the asteroid by 2029. Scientists believe Psyche could be the exposed core of a failed planet, possibly one that once resembled Mars.
The mission could unlock secrets about how planets—including Earth—were formed, making Psyche not just valuable for its metals, but for the knowledge it may yield about our solar system’s origins.
