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New data: The asteroid Psyche is rusting

Using new ultraviolet data from the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers now believe that the high density asteroid Psyche, thought to be largely metallic, is rusting because of interaction with the solar wind.

Becker observed the asteroid at two specific points in its rotation to view both sides of Psyche completely and delineate as much as possible from observing the surface at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths.

“We were able to identify for the first time on any asteroid what we think are iron oxide ultraviolet absorption bands,” she said. “This is an indication that oxidation is happening on the asteroid, which could be a result of the solar wind hitting the surface.”

There will be a U.S. probe to Psyche launched in ’22.

Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 

The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


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"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News

4 comments

  • Phill O

    For rust (iron oxide) to form, there must be a source of oxygen. Have they done the mass balance calculation?

    For iron oxides see “Swaddle TW, Oltmann P (1980) Kinetics of the magnetite-maghemite-hematite transformation, with special reference to hydrothermal systems. Can J Chem 17(58):1763–1772”

  • sippin_bourbon

    Asteroid is rusting?

    Must be the extra moisture because of Global Climate Warm-freezing Change.

    (/sarc)

  • Edward

    Phill O noted: “For rust (iron oxide) to form, there must be a source of oxygen.

    An early job in my career was at a laboratory that built mass spectrometers to measure the content of the solar wind. One thing that they found was a surprising amount of oxygen ions in the solar wind. Another possible source could be water that may outgas from within the asteroid.

  • Phill O

    Edward, the article by Swaddle indicated the need for water for certain iron oxides (which had been identified at that time) to form. We did not consider oxygen from the solar wind, in that article.

    Thanks!

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