A new asteroid has been found by NASA and it could leave civilians with a hefty check of millions.
The object is worth a staggering $10quintillion (£8,000,000,000,000,000,000). In theory, the asteroid that is currently in the Earth’s atmosphere could be brought back and used for materials. It is mainly made up of platinum and palladium, which are considered highly valuable materials in the making of cars and electronics. This particular asteroid is unlike any we’ve seen before in terms of size.
Last month, a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket was sent by NASA to probe the asteroid named 16 Psyche. They were pleased with the sample and results they collected, which revealed the eye-watering value of the space material.
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(Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/SWNS)
It is one of the largest M-type asteroids known and is currently located far away from Earth. However, it is currently making its way closer to our planet and is travelling 2.2 billion miles to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Predictions say it will be there by July 2029.
While experts don’t yet have the full picture, the asteroid is thought to be 30-60% metal and spans a surface area of approximately 64,000 square miles. Thoughts that it could be worth £8quintillion suggests humans are in for a treat.
£8quintillion split between the world’s population, eight billion, means everyone would receive £1billion. While the idea sounds great, experts reveal the economy would be ruined overnight, with the ultra-wealthy gaining even more and everyday prices would sky-rocket.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Elon Musk is currently considered the world’s richest man with a net worth of £248billion. This is already almost 250 times more than he would receive with the potential asteroid payment.
NASA do not have profit on their minds, however, and will not intercept the asteroid in an attempt to gain money. Instead, they’re hoping to look at the benefit of the metals for planets and their cores.
They believe the discovery will help them understand the universe and it’s properties more clearly.
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