View in EDS

Ferromagmatic Intrusions on Asteroid (16) Psyche May Be Magnetized.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Ferromagmatic Intrusions on Asteroid (16) Psyche May Be Magnetized.
Authors: Courville, Samuel W.1 (AUTHOR) swcourvi@asu.edu, Sanderson, Hannah R.2 (AUTHOR), Bierson, Carver J.3 (AUTHOR), Elkins‐Tanton, Linda T.4 (AUTHOR), Oran, Rona5 (AUTHOR), O'Rourke, Joseph G.1 (AUTHOR), Russell, Christopher T.6 (AUTHOR), Weiss, Benjamin P.5 (AUTHOR), Williams, David A.1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Aug2025, Vol. 130 Issue 8, p1-16. 16p.
Subject Terms: *Geophysical prediction, Magnetization, Liquid iron, Earth's core, Volcanism
Company/Entity: United States. National Aeronautics & Space Administration
Abstract: NASA's Psyche mission will arrive at the metal‐rich asteroid (16) Psyche in 2029. The mission will test whether (16) Psyche is a remnant of a melted, differentiated planetesimal that formed a molten iron metallic core. Previous studies have suggested that a molten metallic core fluid could erupt volcanically, explaining the high metal content of (16) Psyche's surface. Here we describe an origin story for (16) Psyche using thermal and compositional evolution modeling that outlines when ferrovolcanism could occur. We highlight how Psyche's Magnetometer could detect remanent magnetization associated with mantle intrusions of the core metal. Plain Language Summary: NASA's Psyche mission will reach the asteroid Psyche in 2029 to study its origins. Scientists think Psyche might be the leftover metal core of an early planetesimal, a small building block of planets. For this to be true, Psyche's interior must have once been hot enough to melt iron and form a liquid metal core. Some researchers believe that molten metal from this core could have erupted onto the surface, explaining why the asteroid's surface looks metallic from telescopic observations. This study uses computer models to explore how and when such metal eruptions, called "ferrovolcanism," might have happened. The Psyche spacecraft's instrument for measuring magnetic fields could provide evidence for these eruptions by detecting ancient magnetic fields created during the process. Key Points: Sulfur‐rich ferromagmatic intrusions on or near (16) Psyche's surface may record remanent magnetization from a dynamoThe Psyche mission's magnetometer could detect ferromagmatic intrusions that were >1 km wideFerrovolcanism likely requires inward core solidification with an Fe‐S core composition on the Fe‐rich side of the Fe‐FeS eutectic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: GreenFILE
Description
Abstract:NASA's Psyche mission will arrive at the metal‐rich asteroid (16) Psyche in 2029. The mission will test whether (16) Psyche is a remnant of a melted, differentiated planetesimal that formed a molten iron metallic core. Previous studies have suggested that a molten metallic core fluid could erupt volcanically, explaining the high metal content of (16) Psyche's surface. Here we describe an origin story for (16) Psyche using thermal and compositional evolution modeling that outlines when ferrovolcanism could occur. We highlight how Psyche's Magnetometer could detect remanent magnetization associated with mantle intrusions of the core metal. Plain Language Summary: NASA's Psyche mission will reach the asteroid Psyche in 2029 to study its origins. Scientists think Psyche might be the leftover metal core of an early planetesimal, a small building block of planets. For this to be true, Psyche's interior must have once been hot enough to melt iron and form a liquid metal core. Some researchers believe that molten metal from this core could have erupted onto the surface, explaining why the asteroid's surface looks metallic from telescopic observations. This study uses computer models to explore how and when such metal eruptions, called "ferrovolcanism," might have happened. The Psyche spacecraft's instrument for measuring magnetic fields could provide evidence for these eruptions by detecting ancient magnetic fields created during the process. Key Points: Sulfur‐rich ferromagmatic intrusions on or near (16) Psyche's surface may record remanent magnetization from a dynamoThe Psyche mission's magnetometer could detect ferromagmatic intrusions that were >1 km wideFerrovolcanism likely requires inward core solidification with an Fe‐S core composition on the Fe‐rich side of the Fe‐FeS eutectic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699097
DOI:10.1029/2025JE009031