Using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, researchers have verified the existence of hydroxyl molecules on the metallic asteroid Psyche. This discovery of hydrated minerals hints at a complicated history for Psyche, which is crucial for understanding the NASA spacecraft currently headed toward this intriguing asteroid that orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, a team from the Southwest Research Institute has confirmed the presence of hydroxyl molecules on the metallic asteroid Psyche. The detection of hydrated minerals suggests that Psyche has a complex history, which is important for the NASA spacecraft that is on its way to this fascinating asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Psyche, which measures about 140 miles across, ranks among the most massive entities in the main asteroid belt. Earlier studies suggest that Psyche is a dense, mainly metallic body that could be the remnant core of a planet that suffered a catastrophic impact. On October 13, 2023, NASA launched the Psyche spacecraft, which will travel 2.2 billion miles, reaching the asteroid by August 2029.
“Our research, which employs telescopes observing various wavelengths of infrared light, will yield distinct yet complementary insights compared to what the Psyche spacecraft aims to investigate,” stated Dr. Tracy Becker from SwRI, who is the second author of a recent paper published in the American Astronomical Society’s Planetary Science Journal.
“Our comprehension of solar system evolution is closely linked to interpretations of asteroid composition, especially M-class asteroids that are rich in metals,” explained Dr. Stephanie Jarmak, the lead author from the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, who conducted most of this research while at SwRI. “These asteroids were initially believed to be the exposed cores of differentiated planetesimals, a hypothesis supported by their spectral similarities to iron meteorites.”
The Webb data indicate the presence of hydroxyl and potentially water on Psyche’s surface. These hydrated minerals might have originated from external sources, such as impacts. If the hydration is of native origin, then Psyche may have an evolutionary history that deviates from current models.
“Asteroids are the remnants of the planetary formation process, so their compositions differ based on their formation locations in the solar nebula,” said Dr. Anicia Arredondo from SwRI, another co-author. “If the hydration is endogenous, it could imply that Psyche is not simply a remnant core of a protoplanet. Instead, it might suggest that Psyche was formed beyond the ‘snow line,’ an area where temperatures in the protoplanetary disc allow volatile compounds to solidify, before moving into the outer main belt.”
Nevertheless, the paper observed that the variation in hydration strength across different observations indicates a mixed distribution of hydrated minerals. This inconsistency points to a complicated surface history that could be attributed to impacts from carbonaceous chondrite asteroids, which are believed to be highly hydrated.
Understanding the locations and compositions of asteroids helps us determine the distribution and evolution of materials in the solar nebula since its formation. Additionally, knowing how water is distributed in our solar system could shed light on the distribution of water in other solar systems, which is crucial since water is essential for life on Earth, guiding our search for potential life both within our solar system and beyond.
NASA’s Webb telescope was developed in collaboration with the European and Canadian space agencies and operates under the Space Telescope Science Institute, managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. Arizona State University leads the Psyche mission, while NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory oversees mission management, operations, and navigation.
