Unveiling the Metallic Secrets of Asteroids with Webb and SOFIA Telescopes

Scientists at the Southwest Research Institute are using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to observe the metallic asteroid Psyche in the infrared. The observations aim to provide context for NASA's upcoming Psyche mission and gather information about the asteroid's composition and the presence of water. Psyche, believed to be the leftover core of a failed planet, is an intriguing target that could offer insights into the formation of solar system objects.