James Webb Telescope Uncovers Shocking Update on $10 Quintillion Asteroid Psyche

Could a Single Asteroid Make Everyone on Earth a Billionaire?

If you follow space exploration news, you’ve probably heard of asteroid 16 Psyche — the space rock that could be worth an estimated $10 quintillion.

Yes, that’s $10,000,000,000,000,000,000.

Unlike most asteroids made of rock or ice, 16 Psyche is believed to be rich in metals — possibly including iron, nickel, and even gold. Its composition is so unusual that scientists think it may be the exposed core of a failed planet, offering a rare glimpse into how planets form.

Now, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has delivered a surprising new update about this cosmic treasure chest: Psyche may be rusting.

16 Psyche: The Asteroid That Could Reshape the Global Economy

16 Psyche’s metal-rich nature has captured the attention of NASA and space investors alike. If its estimated $10 quintillion in metals could be mined and brought back to Earth, it could theoretically make every human on the planet a billionaire.

But aside from its potential economic impact, 16 Psyche offers something far more valuable: clues about the early solar system.

James Webb Space Telescope Detects Rust on Psyche

Recently, researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope found evidence of rust on the asteroid’s surface. This discovery hints at a surprising possibility: Psyche is hydrated.

This isn’t the first time water has been suspected on Psyche. Back in 2017, scientists observed signs of hydroxyl molecules (OH) — one of the building blocks of water — using infrared spectroscopy. These molecules likely formed from water-based interactions on the asteroid’s surface.

Now, with JWST’s cutting-edge infrared imaging, scientists have confirmed that metal on Psyche is interacting with hydroxyl groups, leading to a kind of rusting process, similar to what happens when metal oxidizes in the presence of water on Earth.

What Does Rust Mean for Psyche and Planetary Science?

This rust effect suggests Psyche may contain traces of water, possibly in the form of hydrated minerals or ice embedded in its surface.

Even more exciting is what Psyche may reveal about planetary cores. NASA scientists believe Psyche might be the exposed core of a protoplanet, a remnant from the earliest days of our solar system — similar in structure to Mars or Earth.

Understanding Psyche could help scientists:

• Learn how planetary cores are formed

• Explore how water and metal interact in space

• Discover more about the origins of our solar system

NASA's Psyche Mission: On Track for 2029 Arrival

To explore Psyche in greater detail, NASA launched the Psyche spacecraft mission on October 13, 2023. The probe is expected to arrive at the asteroid in 2029, when it will orbit and analyze the asteroid using advanced instruments.

According to NASA and Live Science, the goal is to uncover key information about planet formation and the composition of celestial bodies in our solar system.

Final Thoughts: A Billion-Dollar Discovery or a Scientific Goldmine?

While mining 16 Psyche remains a distant dream, its scientific value is already immense. The James Webb Space Telescope’s discovery of rust provides another layer of intrigue to an already mysterious asteroid.

Whether it's a potential economic game-changer or simply a window into planetary history, one thing is certain: Psyche has the world watching.