Dawn NASA probe: close-ups of Ceres and bright spots

Bright spots on Ceres Although they are no longer mysterious, they still give up enigmas. Now, Dawn has taken pictures of her closely.

More than three years after the appearance of bright spots on the surface of the dwarf planet, Ceres provoked conjectures among astronomers. NASA took close-up pictures of these images. The photos show natural formations of comparatively light sodium carbonate, which the researchers had previously identified as the cause of visible forms. The new photos should now help to probe the origin of these formations. In addition, the photos taken a few dozen kilometers show very different landscapes on the celestial body.

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Using the photos and the data of which is by far the lowest orbit around Ceres, researchers want to clarify, among others, where the largest carbonate deposits come from the Earth and Mars. But other structures on the surface should now take a closer look at the probe. With new measurements of gravity, scientists also want to take a closer look below the surface of the smallest known dwarf planet. Dawn was at the beginning of June in the nearest orbit of Ceres

First Vesta, then Ceres

The dwarf planet Ceres is the largest celestial body in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Dawn had arrived there early in the year 2015 and had reached the first missile orbit of a dwarf planet. The Dawn mission should not only provide new perspectives on the planet, but also on the past of the belt and ultimately on our solar system. Bright points of light had caused a sensation. Before she reached Ceres, Dawn had already visited and explored the asteroid Vesta.

(mho)