The phenomena of asteroid mining is not a new idea. Metal- rich NEAs (Near-Earth Asteroids) provide a greater possibility for the mining of metals like Nickel, Iron and Cobalt in future. NEA denotes a direct link between parent bodies in solar system and meteorites found on the Earth. During catastrophic disruption of differentiated asteroids, the crusts and mantles will be stripped and thereby giving metal rich asteroids.
According to the new research published in the Planetary Science journal, the team conducted investigation on two metal rich asteroids. Through this, their origin, composition and relationship with the meteoroids found on Earth were studied.
Vishnu Reddy (Associate Professor, Planetary Science, University of Arizona) and the team of students studied about the asteroids 1986 DA and 2016 ED85. 2016 ED 85 was chose for observation as it came from the same region in the outer belt as that of 1986 DA. And discovered that these asteroids showed similar spectral signatures to that of asteroid 16 Psyche. The location of asteroid 16 Psyche is in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. Also it is the largest metal rich body in the solar system and the target of NASA’s Psyche mission.
In accordance to Juan Sanchez (lead author), the surface analysis of NEA reveal the presence of 85% Metal (Iron and Nickel) and 15% Silicate material. These NEA’s resemble Mesosiderites (stoney- Iron meteorites) found on earth. Moreover astronomers hope to identify specific meteorites that resemble Psyche’s surface through studying metal rich NEA’s.
Vishnu Reddy told that a compositional survey commenced to identify and characterize rare NEA in 2005. And the discovery of ‘Mini Psyches’ so close to Earth is a reward of the survey. Also they explored the mining potential of 1986 DA. The team found that amount of metals like Iron, Cobalt and Nickel would exceed the global reserves. As per the words of Adam Battle, a 50 metre metallic object similar to two asteroids created the meteor crater in Arizona.
A bunch of small asteroids (Asteroid family) will be produced as a result of a disastrous destruction of an asteroid. To find out about the four possible asteroid families in the outer region of the main asteroid belt, the research team used compositions and orbits of asteroids 1986 DA and 2016 ED85. This asteroid belt is home to the largest reservoir of small bodies in inner part of solar system. In addition to that, it is also the region where most of the largest known metallic asteroids dwell.
Cantillo said; the team believed that these two mini Psyches are probable pieces of a large metallic asteroid, but not 16 Psyche itself. Also there is a possible chance that some of the stony- Iron meteorite found on Earth would have come from that region of solar system too.
Let’s hope that in future asteroid mining paves way in reducing environmental damage on Earth and also in space construction. Also, the discovery of mini Psyches give assistance for NASA’s Psyche Mission.
Reference:
https://phys.org/news/2021-10-mini-psyches-insights-mysterious-metal-rich.html
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