Discovering Asteroid 33 Polyhymnia: Could This Space Rock Hold Unseen Elements?

Some asteroids are incredibly dense, so much so that they may hold heavy elements not found in the current periodic table. A recent study from The University of Arizona delves into this intriguing possibility.

The researchers, led by physicists, focused on what they call Compact Ultradense Objects (CUDOs). These objects can have a mass density greater than that of Osmium, which is the densest stable element known, with 76 protons. The team discovered that certain asteroids, particularly 33 Polyhymnia, have mass densities that exceed what we usually see in known materials. This suggests that 33 Polyhymnia might be a CUDO with an unknown makeup.

To understand this better, the researchers explored elements with atomic numbers greater than those in our existing periodic table. While Osmium is the densest stable element currently recognized, scientists have managed to create elements with higher atomic numbers in experiments. However, these higher-number elements tend to be unstable and decay quickly.

The team applied the relativistic Thomas-Fermi model of the atom to predict the mass densities of elements with atomic numbers 110 and above. Even so, they couldn’t pinpoint any known stable elements dense enough to account for what is observed in 33 Polyhymnia.

Interestingly, they hinted that elements predicted to lie in a theoretical “island of nuclear stability” near atomic number 164 could explain the high density. If a portion of 33 Polyhymnia consists of these superheavy elements, the asteroid’s mass density might align with experimental values.

This research has sparked excitement not only among scientists but also among tech enthusiasts interested in space mining. It raises a thrilling idea: some of these exotic materials may be accessible right within our solar system.

Jan Rafelski, one of the study’s authors, expressed his thoughts on this potential discovery. He remarked, “The notion that some of these might be stable enough to obtain from within our Solar System is thrilling.”

This study contributes to ongoing conversations about space resources and the potential for extracting valuable materials from asteroids. As we lace together physics, chemistry, and technology, the cosmos appears to offer opportunities we’ve only begun to explore.

For further insights, you can check the full study published in The European Physical Journal Plus.

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