Researchers Utilize Webb and SOFIA Telescopes to Study Metallic Asteroid
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) scientists are utilizing advanced telescopes to conduct infrared observations of the asteroid Psyche, offering valuable insights for NASA's upcoming Psyche mission. Dr. Stephanie Jarmak is utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to search for water signatures on Psyche's metallic surface, while Dr. Anicia Arredondo is analyzing some of the last data collected by the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to examine variations in Psyche's composition across its surface.
Psyche is a substantial asteroid with a diameter of approximately 140 miles, making it one of the largest objects in the main asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. Previous observations have indicated that Psyche is a dense, predominantly metallic o...