Psyche's Metal Heart: Unraveling a Distant World's Core

We explore 16 Psyche, the largest metallic asteroid in the main belt, whose surprising density challenges the idea of a pristine planetary core. We unpack the competing origin stories—an exposed core versus a re-accreted metal–silicate mixture—and the intriguing possibility of ferrovulcanism, plus the hint of hydrated minerals from past impacts. With NASA's Psyche mission on track for a 2029 arrival, this deep dive reveals what Psyche can teach us about how rocky planets form.

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