Exploring Superheavy Elements and Ultradense Asteroids
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Phys.org
Some asteroids have densities higher than any known elements on Earth, suggesting the presence of ultradense matter that cannot be studied using conventional physics. Researchers propose that these asteroids may contain superheavy elements with atomic numbers higher than the current periodic table's limit. Using the Thomas-Fermi model, they calculated the properties of these elements and confirmed the prediction of stable atoms with around 164 protons. The researchers also suggest that asteroids like 33 Polyhymnia could be composed of elements above Z=118. This discovery has implications for space mining and the possibility of obtaining stable superheavy elements from within our solar system.