The Psyche asteroid

It was discovered on 17 March 1852 by the Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis and the asteroid Psyche is named after the Greek goddess of the soul.

Located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, this asteroid is recognised as the largest known metallic asteroid in the entire Solar System.

According to current research, Psyche's main components consist mainly of iron and nickel, rather than the typical rocky fragments found in other asteroids.

However, despite the high iron and nickel content, its density is estimated to be only fifty percent of that of an iron meteorite.

The process responsible for this phenomenon is known as "ferrovulcanism", according to astronomy experts.

It is widely believed that pallasites, a specific type of meteorite known for its aesthetic appeal due to its amalgamated composition of iron metals, nickel and olivine silicates, may have been altered through the process of ferrovulcanism.

Ferrovulcanism occurs through a process in which pockets of liquid metal mixed with sulphur, which are less dense than the surrounding solid material, create a molten iron magma product, this is achieved through the propagation of channels, which are produced due to an "overpressure".

NASA has planned a mission called Psyche, which aims to explore and study this fascinating asteroid. Scheduled for launch on 5 October 2023, aboard SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, Psyche will be launched on 5 October 2023.