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This image of the Ceres member was obtained by NASA's Dawn spacecraft on May 30, 2018 at an altitude of about 280 miles. Dawn has been orbiting Ceres since 2015, having first explored the asteroid Vesta. They are located in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. (NASA via AP) (Associated Press)
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – NASA's Dawn spacecraft returns incredible close-ups of the dwarf planet Ceres.
The spacecraft has been touring Ceres since 2015. In June, it reached its lowest orbit yet, covering the surface of only 22 miles (35 kilometers).
The latest images released on Monday offer unprecedented views of a huge crater of impact known for its brilliant salt deposits. Landslides are clearly visible on the rim.
Chief Engineer Marc Rayman of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California says the results are better than hoped
Before arriving at Ceres, Dawn has explored the asteroid Vesta. Both are in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Launched in 2007 with an ion engine, Dawn is nearing the end of her extended mission. NASA expects the spacecraft to last only a few months.
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