NASA's Next Mission Turns To Space's Most Extreme Environments
The agency plans to launch three telescopes to look at objects like neutron stars, pulsars and supermassive black holes.
LEARN MOREAn Asteroid Possibly Worth $10,000 Quadrillion Is NASA's New Mission
The hulking celestial body is believed to be composed almost entirely of metal.
An Asteroid Possibly Worth $10,000 Quadrillion Is NASA's New Mission
NASA
January 18, 2017
Forget the Mars, Jupiter and Milky Way missions. NASA is now setting its sights on an asteroid, and it's not just any asteroid.
It's called 16 Psyche and is believed to be made almost entirely of nickel and iron.
Most asteroids are made up of rock or ice. So researchers think this trip to Psyche could help us learn more about Earth's core, which is also thought to be composed of similar metals.
NASA also wants to know if Psyche is actually a core of an early planet that could have broken off billions of years ago.
Currently, the asteroid is the only place known to researchers where they could study what's believed to be an exposed metallic core without having to dig like they would to reach the Earth's.
The space program is teaming up with researchers from Arizona State University for the robotic mission, which will launch in 2023.
Right now, there aren't any plans to mine or land on the asteroid. But the mission's lead scientist estimates the iron alone could be worth as much as $10,000 quadrillion.
When you'll be able to see 5 planets align in the night sky
Five planets — Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars — will align on the evening of March 28.
Where 2 upcoming solar eclipses can be seen in the US
New NASA maps show who will have the best view of two major solar eclipse events in the next 13 months.
Asteroid to come between Earth and moon this weekend
The asteroid is estimated to be the size of a hockey rink, making it a relatively large near-Earth object.
Top Stories
10:24
Why does today's audience say certain fictional characters are gay?
In this segment of "Pop Quiz," Scripps News explores how historians and viewers are speculating about queer subtext in new and old media.
2:50
Los Angeles school support staff at an impasse in higher pay talks
Cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other school support staff employees say the district isn't meeting their requests.
3:01
This basketball magazine is mixing art with 'outlandish' sport stories
Flagrant Magazine is carving out its own space in the sports media industry by mixing abstract basketball art with culture stories from off the court.
