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Space & Astronomy

Second mystery bright spot sighted on Ceres

By T.K. Randall
February 26, 2015 · Comment icon 237 comments

The Dawn probe has identified two bright spots on Ceres. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA has revealed that another mysterious bright spot has been discovered on the dwarf planet's surface.
Scientists were left scratching their heads last month when NASA's Dawn spacecraft, which is on its way to Ceres and is due to arrive there within the next two weeks, returned pictures showing a peculiar bright spot located on its surface.

Now the mystery has deepened even further thanks to a new set of images returned by the probe revealing a second bright spot on Ceres situated only a short distance away from the first.

"The brightest spot continues to be too small to resolve with our camera, but despite its size, it is brighter than anything else on Ceres," said camera team leader Andreas Nathues.

"This is truly unexpected and still a mystery to us."

Source: Space.com | Comments (237)




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Comment icon #228 Posted by Occams Razor 10 years ago
Better still... there are also impact diamonds: https://en.wikipedia.../Popigai_crater According to this: https://en.wikipedia...s_(dwarf_planet) The composition of Ceres includes carbonates so maybe the bright spots are more likely to be diamonds. You'll have to figure out a way of getting there Astra. According to 'Waspie_Dwarf' Ceres is "a world made largely of salt water ice". If this is true it's unlikely ice is the cause of the bright spots as bright spots would be common all over the surface... it would look like it had shiny measles.
Comment icon #229 Posted by Merc14 10 years ago
Better still... there are also impact diamonds: https://en.wikipedia.../Popigai_crater According to this: https://en.wikipedia...s_(dwarf_planet) The composition of Ceres includes carbonates so maybe the bright spots are more likely to be diamonds. You'll have to figure out a way of getting there Astra. According to 'Waspie_Dwarf' Ceres is "a world made largely of salt water ice". If this is true it's unlikely ice is the cause of the bright spots as bright spots would be common all over the surface... it would look like it had shiny measles. I don't think you'd be getting either of those effec... [More]
Comment icon #230 Posted by Nnicolette 10 years ago
For once i agree with you merc there would have to be more than ice for the impact to have caused molten glass or Diamonds to form... and also they wouldnt still be sitting on top of the ice it would have at least melted in im guessing.
Comment icon #231 Posted by Merc14 10 years ago
For once i agree with you merc there would have to be more than ice for the impact to have caused molten glass or Diamonds to form... and also they wouldnt still be sitting on top of the ice it would have at least melted in im guessing. Come on NN, you agree with me ALL the time, you just won't admit it. I have to say that I am postulating here and if I am wrong then hopefully someone will chime in and set me/us straight but I can't see Ceres surface reacting like earth's desert to an impact. I'm thinking more like a frozen slushy with a dusty layer in an almost zero G, zero atmosphere, enviro... [More]
Comment icon #232 Posted by Astra- 10 years ago
The composition of Ceres includes carbonates so maybe the bright spots are more likely to be diamonds. Well that would make it one hell of an expensive crater - if that brilliant bright bling on Ceres are diamonds That's ok though - you are entitled to your opinion I'll stick with the possibility that the spots are a mixture of crystallized salt / ice at this time - especially since there are other bright - but less dense regions - in comparison to the crater. You'll have to figure out a way of getting there Astra. Why ? - I'd freeze to death
Comment icon #233 Posted by Occams Razor 10 years ago
For once i agree with you merc there would have to be more than ice for the impact to have caused molten glass or Diamonds to form... and also they wouldnt still be sitting on top of the ice it would have at least melted in im guessing. That's why I thought glass or diamonds... whatever it is will have to be pretty robust.
Comment icon #234 Posted by Occams Razor 10 years ago
That's ok though - you are entitled to your opinion No worries Astra... opinions are what forums are all about. Why ? - I'd freeze to death Because diamonds are a girl's best friend aren't they?
Comment icon #235 Posted by Astra- 10 years ago
Because diamonds are a girl's best friend aren't they? Well Marilyn Monroe might have thought so.But I'm a more pearls kinda gal
Comment icon #236 Posted by Hammerclaw 10 years ago
Well Marilyn Monroe might have thought so. But I'm a more pearls kinda gal But Diamonds are Forever! https://youtu.be/qPeSPB68i2c
Comment icon #237 Posted by Frank Merton 10 years ago
There are a lot of bizarre things it could be, but frozen brine seems most likely to me. As had been said so often, if you are in Kansas City and hear galloping animals out the window, don't assume zebra.


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