minor planets; asteroids: general; asteroids: individual: (16) Psyche; methods: observational; techniques: high angular resolution
Abstract :
[en] Context. Asteroid (16) Psyche is the largest M-type asteroid in the main belt and the target of the NASA Psyche mission. It is also the only asteroid of this size (D > 200 km) known to be metal rich. Although various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the rather unique physical properties of this asteroid, a perfect understanding of its formation and bulk composition is still missing. <BR /> Aims: We aim to refine the shape and bulk density of (16) Psyche and to perform a thorough analysis of its shape to better constrain possible formation scenarios and the structure of its interior. <BR /> Methods: We obtained disk-resolved VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL images acquired within our ESO large program (ID 199.C-0074), which complement similar data obtained in 2018. Both data sets offer a complete coverage of Psyche's surface. These images were used to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) shape of Psyche with two independent shape modeling algorithms (MPCD and ADAM). A shape analysis was subsequently performed, including a comparison with equilibrium figures and the identification of mass deficit regions. <BR /> Results: Our 3D shape along with existing mass estimates imply a density of 4.20 ± 0.60 g cm[SUP]-3[/SUP], which is so far the highest for a solar system object following the four telluric planets. Furthermore, the shape of Psyche presents small deviations from an ellipsoid, that is, prominently three large depressions along its equator. The flatness and density of Psyche are compatible with a formation at hydrostatic equilibrium as a Jacobi ellipsoid with a shorter rotation period of ∼3h. Later impacts may have slowed down Psyche's rotation, which is currently ∼4.2 h, while also creating the imaged depressions. <BR /> Conclusions: Our results open the possibility that Psyche acquired its primordial shape either after a giant impact while its interior was already frozen or while its interior was still molten owing to the decay of the short-lived radionuclide [SUP]26[/SUP]Al. <P />The reduced images are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to <A href="http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/">http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr</A> (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via <A href="http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz- bin/cat/J/A+A/638/L15">http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz- bin/cat/J/A+A/638/L15</A> <P />Based on observations made with ESO Telescopes at the Paranal Observatory under programme ID 199.C-0074 (PI: P. Vernazza).
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Ferrais, Marin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Origines Cosmologiques et Astrophysiques (OrCa)
Vernazza, P.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France
Jorda, L.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France
Rambaux, N.; IMCCE, CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Université, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
Hanuš, J.; Institute of Astronomy, Charles University, Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000, Prague 8, Czech Republic
Carry, B.; Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange, France
Marchis, F.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France ; SETI Institute, Carl Sagan Center, 189 Bernado Avenue, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA
Marsset, M.; Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, MIT, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
Viikinkoski, M.; Mathematics and Statistics, Tampere University, 33720, Tampere, Finland
Brož, M.; Institute of Astronomy, Charles University, Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000, Prague 8, Czech Republic
Fetick, R.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France
Drouard, A.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France
Fusco, T.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France
Birlan, M.; IMCCE, CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Université, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France ; Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, 5-Cuţitul de Argint, 040557, Bucharest, Romania
Podlewska-Gaca, E.; Astronomical Observatory Institute, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Słoneczna 36, 60-286, Poznań, Poland ; Institute of Physics, University of Szczecin, Wielkopolska 15, 70-453, Szczecin, Poland
Jehin, Emmanuel ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Origines Cosmologiques et Astrophysiques (OrCa)
Bartczak, P.; Astronomical Observatory Institute, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Słoneczna 36, 60-286, Poznań, Poland
Berthier, J.; IMCCE, CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Université, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
Castillo-Rogez, J.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
Cipriani, F.; European Space Agency, ESTEC - Scientific Support Office, Keplerlaan 1, Noordwijk, 2200 AG, The Netherlands
Colas, F.; IMCCE, CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Université, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
Dudziński, G.; Astronomical Observatory Institute, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Słoneczna 36, 60-286, Poznań, Poland
Dumas, C.; TMT Observatory, 100 W. Walnut Street, Suite 300, Pasadena, CA, 91124, USA
Ďurech, J.; Institute of Astronomy, Charles University, Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000, Prague 8, Czech Republic
Kaasalainen, M.; Mathematics and Statistics, Tampere University, 33720, Tampere, Finland
Kryszczynska, A.; Astronomical Observatory Institute, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Słoneczna 36, 60-286, Poznań, Poland
Lamy, P.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France
Le Coroller, H.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France
Marciniak, A.; Astronomical Observatory Institute, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Słoneczna 36, 60-286, Poznań, Poland
Michalowski, T.; Astronomical Observatory Institute, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Słoneczna 36, 60-286, Poznań, Poland
Michel, Patrick; Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
Santana-Ros, T.; Departamento de Fisica, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Teoría de la Señal, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain ; Institut de Ciències del Cosmos (ICCUB), Universitat de Barcelona (IEEC-UB), Martí Franqués 1, E08028, Barcelona, Spain
Tanga, P.; Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange, France
Vachier, F.; IMCCE, CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Université, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
Vigan, A.; Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France
Witasse, O.; TMT Observatory, 100 W. Walnut Street, Suite 300, Pasadena, CA, 91124, USA
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