Possible Interior Layout of (16) Psyche Constrained by a Three-layer
Model and Finite Element Model (FEM) Approach
Abstract
Asteroid (16) Psyche was dominantly thought to be a remnant of a core
that is a pure-metallic body because of the higher radar albedo
(~0.37) detected than other main-belt asteroids (0.14 -
0.15). However, there are some features Psyche has incompatible with
this hypothesis. The most inconsistent physical parameter is the bulk
density. The reported bulk density of Psyche (~4.0 g
cm-3) is remarkably lower than that of iron meteorites
(~7.5 g cm-3). Another feature is that
Psyche has radar albedo variations across the surface, indicating
non-uniformly distributed surface compositions. Recent observations and
investigations [1-3] also support the existence of orthopyroxene and
hydrated silicates on the surface. Following this, Psyche is interpreted
as a mixed metal and silicate world. Given this surface composition, a
key issue is Psyche’s internal structure. The most plausible structure
is a metallic core covered with a silicate-rich layer; however, this
structural condition is unsuited to the detected highest albedo,
possibly representing metals on the surface. Thus, we numerically
estimate the internal structure distribution (i.e., the size of iron
core and thickness of the silicate-rich layer) using our technique,
combined with a three-layer model and FEM approach, and show that this
structure condition is still thin enough to reveal the metallic
materials in the iron core onto the surface. The three-layer model
represents Psyche’s possible structural layout consisting of a spherical
iron core and two types of the silicate-rich layer (compressed and
uncompressed one) resulting from the compaction process in the
silicate-rich layer (Fig. 1(a)), while the FEM accesses the stress field
of Psyche with a varying bulk density on each layer. As a result, we
find that Psyche is likely to have an iron core sized 76 to 103 km in
radius (Fig. 1(b)). Given this core size, the silicate-rich layer,
consisting of both compressed and uncompressed regions, has a thickness
ranging between 0 and 64 km. Assumed a spherical iron core, a very thin
silicate-rich layer on the polar region is still sufficient to expose
the metallic components at crater-like regions and experience
ferrovolcanic surface eruptions at localized regions. [1] Sanchez et
al. (2016) AJ 153[2] Landsman et al. (2018) Icarus, 304[3]
Shepard et al. (2021) PSJ, 2