Explained: What is 16 Psyche, the asteroid believed to be worth $10,000 quadrillion?

News: A study has found that asteroid 16 Psyche could be made entirely of metal and is worth an estimated $10,000 quadrillion — more than the entire economy of Earth.

Facts:

• 16 Psyche: It is an asteroid which orbits between Mars and Jupiter.
• Where is it located? It is located around 370 million kilometres away from Earth in the asteroid belt.
• When was it discovered? It was first discovered in 1853 and was named after the ancient Greek goddess of the soul, Psyche.
• What is it made of? Unlike most asteroids that are made up of rocks or ice, scientists believe that Psyche is a dense and largely metallic object thought to be the core of an earlier planet that failed in formation.