Asteroid 33 Polyhymnia’s mass density is so high that existing atomic structures can’t explain itPublished Aug 06, 2025Last updated 0 minutes ago6 minute readAn asteroid could change our periodic table. ContributedArticle contentAnyone who took a basic chemistry or physics science class in high school will remember the tedious task of having to memorize the infamous and dreaded periodic table — the ordered arrangement (in rows and columns) of the chemical elements widely used in chemistry and physics, the basic building blocks of matter.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe periodic table is a graphic depiction of the periodic law, which states that when elements are arranged in order of their atomic number (the charge number of their atomic nuclei), an approximate occurrence of their properties (the repeat of their values at regular intervals) occurs. The table was formulated in 1869 by the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev (1834-1907).Article contentArticle contentArticle contentUntil 2018, only natural elements up to the atomic number 94 were known to exist. Since then, new elements have been synthesized in laboratories, yielding 118 elements which occupy only the first seven rows of the periodic table.Article contentDue to ongoing discussions regarding whether some of the elements are correctly positioned in the current table, there are a number of alternative representations of the periodic table.Article content The periodic table was formulated in 1869 and has since been revised as new elements have been discovered and added. Now, however, the mass density of asteroid 33 Polyhymnia is far greater than the maximum mass density of familiar atomic matter, suggesting it may be composed of unknown elements far denser than anything known on Earth. ContributedArticle contentWhile it’s not known just how many more elements are possible, scientists have long theorized about the existence of elements having atomic numbers currently listed on the periodic table, commonly referred to as “superheavy elements”. These elements would theoretically have an atomic number closer to 164 — what scientists call the “island of nuclear stability” — possibly possessing properties unlike anything in the known periodic table.Article contentArticle contentAsteroid could change what we knowArticle contentArticle contentWhat does this all have to do with asteroids?Article contentWhile most superheavy elements are unstable and decay in mere fractions of a second, these scientists theorize that it may be possible that there exists a subset of elements that are stable enough to survive in the extreme conditions of an asteroid’s core.Article contentAsteroid 33 Polyhymnia, a 54-kilometre diameter, main-belt asteroid was discovered on Oct. 28, 1854, by the French astronomer Jean Chacomae (1823-1873), famous for finding several asteroids and comets. The asteroid was named after the Greek muse of sacred hymns.Article content Polyhymnia, the Muse of Eloquence, painted in 1800 by Charles Meynier (1768–1832). Asteroid 33 Polyhymnia was named after her. UnsplashArticle contentThe mass density of asteroid 33 Polyhymnia is far greater than the maximum mass density of familiar atomic matter, suggesting it may be composed of unknown elements far denser than anything known on Earth.Article contentScientists speculate that it could contain what are referred to as “Compact Ultra Dense Objects,” a category of matter having unknown composition characterized by extraordinarily high mass density.Article contentPolyhymnia’s mass density is so high that existing atomic structures may not explain its composition. The asteroid’s core is believed to be composed of matter much denser than any naturally-occurring elements, laboratory-synthesized elements, or elements generated in current theoretical models.Article contentWhile scientists have long theorized that asteroids could contain rare and even unknown materials, 33 Polyhymnia far exceeds the boundaries of what they understand about asteroid composition.Article contentHow will this impact our knowledge of science?Article contentIf superheavy elements are present within 33 Polyhymnia, this could, in addition to challenging current assumptions about the limitations of atomic structures, dramatically alter our understanding of chemistry and physics.Article contentAs well, such a discovery could lead to new advancements in technologies such as rocket propulsion systems, quantum computing, and materials sciences. The existence of such exotic materials, while still speculative at this point in time, could bring a new direction and purpose to space exploration and space mining endeavors, as these materials would become a highly sought-after commodity.Article contentArticle contentThe cosmos is vast, and, as asteroid 33 Polyhymnia demonstrates, there is yet much that we don’t know or understand about what exists out there. As we extend our reach further into the depths of the universe, we are bound to come across new phenomena and new forms of matter which will, undoubtedly, impact our lives, hopefully for the better.Article contentThis week’s skyArticle contentMercury (magnitude +3.9, in Cancer – the Crab) is not observable this coming week, as it sits just on the eastern horizon at dawn.Article contentVenus (mag. -4.0, in Gemini – the Twins) rises in the east around 3 a.m. ADT, reaching 25 degrees (also 25 degrees on Aug. 17) above the eastern horizon before fading from view into the brightening dawn by about 5:45 a.m. ADT.Article contentArticle contentUntil Aug. 14, Venus and Jupiter remain in close conjunction with one another in the pre-dawn east-northeast sky; Venus will slowly swing under Jupiter from right to left and begin to visually pull away during this period.Article contentMars (mag. +1.6, in Virgo – the Maiden) is not observable this coming week, as it is no higher than five degrees (four degrees by Aug. 17) above the western horizon at dusk.Article contentJupiter (mag. -1.9, in Gemini – the Twins) rises in the east around 5a.m. ADT, reaching 25 degrees (29 degrees by Aug. 17) above the eastern horizon before fading from view in the brightening dawn around 5:45 a.m. ADT.Article contentSaturn (mag. +0.8, in Pisces – the Fish), visible to the lower left of the waning gibbous Moon, becomes accessible by about 11:15 p.m. ADT, when it reaches 11 degrees (also 11 degrees on Aug. 17), reaching its highest point in the sky 41 degrees (also 41 degrees on Aug. 10) above the southern horizon by around 4 a.m. ADT before getting lost in the dawn twilight around 5:20 a.m. ADT 38 degrees (35 degrees on Aug. 17) above the southwest horizonArticle contentUranus (mag. +5.8, in Taurus – the Bull) rises in the east around 12:15 a.m. ADT, reaching 49 degrees (43 degrees on Aug. 17) above the eastern horizon before fading with the approaching dawn around 4:40 a.m. ADT.Article contentNeptune (mag. +7.8, in Pisces) becomes accessible when it reaches 21 degrees (also 21 degrees on Aug. 17) above the southeast horizon around 12:15 a.m. ADT, reaching its highest point in the sky 43 degrees (also 43 degrees on Aug.17) above the southern horizon before fading from view in the dawn twilight by about 4 a.m. ADT.Article contentPerseids are comingArticle contentThe Perseids, the famous and probably most viewed meteor shower of the year, peaks during the overnight period of Aug. 11-12.Article contentThe radiant, or apparent point of origin in the sky, of this shower lies in the constellation of Perseus – the Prince, which clears the northeast horizon around 10 p.m. ADT this coming week, with the most meteors becoming visible as the radiant climbs higher in the night sky.Article contentArticle contentAssociated with debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle (discovered independently by American astronomers Lewis Swift (1820 – 1913) and Horace Parnell Tuttle (1837 – 1923) in 1862), the Perseid meteor shower is known for its bright, colourful, fast-moving meteors, many of which leave brief trails in the night sky and occasional bright fireballs.Article contentUnfortunately, the shower peak occurs just days after the full moon of Aug. 9, meaning the light of waning gibbous moon (still about 95 per cent lit) will wash out the majority of the fainter Perseids, leaving only the brighter ones.Article contentAlthough the moon will spoil the peak show (at least number-wise) on the night of Aug. 11-12, you can still catch some Perseids streaking across the night sky until around Aug. 24.Article contentAn alternative viewing date might be the weekend of Aug.16-17, when the last quarter moon rises late (around 11:35 p.m. ADT), although there will be fewer Perseids visible by then. Despite the interfering moonlight this coming week, if the weather permits, make an effort to view this famous meteor shower.Article contentFor those of you who may not have caught it, there was a small error in last week’s article regarding the distance of Betelgeuse from Earth. Betelgeuse is actually only 400-600 light-years away from Earth, not 400-600 million light-years away. Thanks to my sharp-eyed readers who catch me when I slip up.Article contentUntil next week, clear skies.Article contentEvents: Aug. 11-12 – Perseid meteor shower peaks; overnight Aug. 11-14 – Venus and Jupiter in close conjunction; pre-dawn ENE sky Aug. 16 – Last quarter moonArticle content
ATLANTIC SKIES: How an ancient asteroid could greatly expand the periodic table
