This mission will be the first to visit a metal asteroid, and the more the scientific community will
(16) Psyche (lat. Psyche) is an interesting body to study. In a new study, scientists suggest that this is the remnant of a planetary core that was destroyed during the accretion stage, that is, the planet simply did not have time to form. Scientists can learn a lot about planet formation by studying Psyche.
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Modeling impact structures on Psyche contributes to the understanding of metal bodies, as well as the differences in crater processes on large metal objects and on rocky and icy bodies.
The team provides the first 3D modelsthe formation of the largest impact crater Psyche, and this is the first work in which models of impact craters are used to determine the composition of asteroids. The 2D and 3D models show an oblique collision angle at which an approaching object would hit the asteroid's surface, deforming it in a very specific and predictable way given the likely materials.
Metals are deformed differently than otherscommon asteroid materials such as silicates and impacts on targets similar in composition to Psyche should result in craters similar to those seen on the asteroid.
Imitation of an asteroid impact crater. Credit: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Animated video using resultsThe team's simulations show a theoretical impact scenario that could lead to Psyche's largest crater. The simulation shows how some of the material is ejected into space after the impact, and reveals the stage of crater modification, where the formed damaged material is visible in the impact zone.
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