Bright Spots on Ceres: Unexpected Changes

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Unexpected Changes of Bright Spots on Ceres Discovered

Observations made using the HARPS spectrograph at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile have revealed unexpected changes in the bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres. Although Ceres appears as little more than a point of light from the Earth, very careful study of its light shows not only the changes expected as Ceres rotates, but also that the spots brighten during the day and also show other variations. These observations suggest that the material of the spots is volatile and evaporates in the warm glow of sunlight.

Ceres is the largest body in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and the only such object classed as a dwarf planet. NASA’s Dawn spacecraft has been in orbit around Ceres for more than a year and has mapped its surface in great detail. One of the biggest surprises has been the discovery of very bright spots, which reflect far more light than their much darker surroundings. The most prominent of these spots lie inside the crater Occator and suggest that Ceres may be a much more active world than most of its asteroid neighbours.

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[Waspie_Dwarf]

Bright Spots and Color Differences Revealed on Ceres

Scientists from NASA's Dawn mission unveiled new images from the spacecraft's lowest orbit at Ceres, including highly anticipated views of Occator Crater, at the 47th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, on Tuesday.

Occator Crater, measuring 57 miles (92 kilometers) across and 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) deep, contains the brightest area on Ceres, the dwarf planet that Dawn has explored since early 2015. The latest images, taken from 240 miles (385 kilometers) above the surface of Ceres, reveal a dome in a smooth-walled pit in the bright center of the crater. Numerous linear features and fractures crisscross the top and flanks of this dome. Prominent fractures also surround the dome and run through smaller, bright regions found within the crater.

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[JesseCuster]

There's a link to a pretty huge image of Occator crater in that NASA article. Here's a crop from it showing the bright spots in glorious detail. So much for an alien base/city or lights to guide alien spacecraft to an entrance into the giant space station that Ceres actually is.

[TOG]

It's an interplanetary salt lick. Everyone knows deer pilot 85% of UFOs.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Unveiling Ceres

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has revealed marvelous sights on dwarf planet Ceres during its first year in orbit, including the mysterious bright spots in Occator Crater.

See full-resolution images and read the news article:

http://go.nasa.gov/1MA6ifH

More information about Dawn is available at the following sites:

http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov

http://www.nasa.gov/dawn

Credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Source: NASA/JPL - YouTube Channel

[Astra.]

A simply fascinating and a peculiar little planet. What an oddity the mountain Ahuna Mons is. I wonder how it came to be ?... it's amazing that the peak reaches 3 miles high. There are so many unusual and diverse features on this planet.

I'm sure after more research and study is done by the geologists and scientists involved - Ceres will unveil more of her secrets.

What great images.

[Derek Willis]

So does everybody now agree there are no cities on Ceres?

[Astra.]

Derek - I'd love to get hold of your AV and give it some eye balls and a mouth

[Imaginarynumber1]

So much for an alien base/city or lights to guide alien spacecraft to an entrance into the giant space station that Ceres actually is.

That's just what they want you to think...

[Waspie_Dwarf]

That's just what they want you to think...

Typical NASA, releasing all the information and images. Allowing people to come to informed, rational, intelligent conclusions.

[Imaginarynumber1]

Typical NASA, releasing all the information and images. Allowing people to come to informed, rational, intelligent conclusions.

I know. I can't believe they'd think we'd fall for that.

[JesseCuster]

Typical NASA, releasing all the information and images. Allowing people to come to informed, rational, intelligent conclusions.

The dastards!

On a serious note, these images are amazing. If you're interested in space exploration at all, we live in amazing times. The continuing pics coming from the 2 active rovers on Mars plus the orbiters and these fantastic pics coming from Dawn and New Horizons. Voyager is still sending back data from the edges of the solar system after almost 40 years in operation. Cassini-Huygens is continually sending back awesome stuff from Saturn. The Rosetta mission. Etc. etc.

I can't wait to see what data and images Juno is going to deliver once it gets to Jupiter later this year.

Edited March 25, 2016 by JesseCuster