Dawn nearing Ceres, interesting surface features already

[ralph1]

Dawn seems to be finally getting decent images of ceres now it is only one earth-moon distance away. It is scheduled to arrive on 6th march 2015.http://www.space.com/28336-mysterious-white-spot-on-ceres.html

[Eden]

Although NASA have known about the bright white region ever since Ceres was imaged by Hubble some years ago, it will be very interesting to find out exactly what it is. It's tempting to assume that it's simply an ice cap but only time will tell.

[ralph1]

I remember reading somewhere, can't remember where, that there was a bright spot on ceres's equator. This one looks smaller than hubbles so it could be an ice cap which grows and shrinks. Wikipedia tells me it has a tilt of only 3 degrees which should mean effectively no seasons but who knows, we've never visited it before.

[Amaranthus]

We've almost crossed the 'novelty' threshold - after January 26 (i.e. in 2 days) the resolution of Dawn's images will exceed the best that Hubble can offer for Ceres. And then it just gets better and better!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_(spacecraft)#Ceres_approach

(That resolution threshold for New Horizons / Pluto will occur on May 5)

[ZeroID]

Now you know ....

[Suzy]

:lol::lol::lol:

An fb buddy of mine posted that xkcd cartoon on my timeline today- it's such a classic. :rofl:

[pluto]

It's nowhere near the pole so that would be one weird ice cap!
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/space-images/small-bodies/ceres-20150204-anim.html

[Amaranthus]

There are a few of them now visible - might be ice-filled craters?

[gaa_ian]

It is astounding to be seeing a planet for the first time like this. Very exciting :-)

[geolindon]

from Nasa; http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/dawn/dawn-spacecraft-begins-approach-to-dwarf-planet-ceres/#.VNyA3fmUexU

"Ceres, in contrast (to Vesta), has a thick ice mantle and may even have an ocean beneath its icy crust."

the circular white areas do look like craters and as the surface is ice, i reckon the brighter areas must be 'cleaner', and the brightest - the cleanest ergo the newest??

NASA says "All we can predict with confidence is that we will be surprised." bring it orn!! :eyepop: Lindon

[RichardJ]

Nice animation of latest images at
http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/feature_stories/Dawn_captures_best-ever_view_DwarfPlanet.asp
Exciting times.

RichardJ

[pluto]

Those are quite old, these are newer:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/space-images/small-bodies/ceres-20150204-anim.html

There should be another release any day now too :D


What a year for planetary science, Dawn at Ceres, New Horizons passing Pluto, and Rosetta and C-G approaching perihelion - this must be how those a few years my senior must have felt in the 70's and 80's with the Pioneers, Mariners, and Voyagers!

[RichardJ]

Thanks for the update, much appreciated. I'm especially looking forward to New Horizons.

RichardJ :)

[RichardJ]

Some new images available

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA19056

RichardJ :)

[pluto]

Thanks for posting Richard, starting to get some proper details now!

[ralph1]

The next set of images are planned to be taken on february 20th. The images are too overexposed to show anything meaningful about the spots.

[pluto]

Wow!!
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2015/02251857-ceres-geology.html

[geolindon]

thanks for posting the link Hugh

n i agree :eyepop: go geoemily!!

http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/dawn/bright-spot-on-ceres-has-dimmer-companion/index.html#.VO7iOvmUexU

[Neil]

As we draw closer to Ceres it's beginning to look a little like the far side of the Moon. I'm sure it will be a fascinating and spectacular next few months, then we've got New Horizons to come, clear skies.:):D

[ralph1]

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2015/03031236-watch-ceres-rotate-a-guide.html

enjoy!
Notice how in the images the white spot appears to go into darkness later than the rest of the crater. This suggests it is raised. Maybe a mountain?

[pluto]

I was thinking they looked like a hole the way they get smaller towards the limb. This gif by someone on UMSF shows it better perhaps:
https://astro0.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/ceres_whitespots.gif

Can't wait to see what they are though!

[pluto]

Dawn just entered orbit around Ceres!! :D

They say new photos will be a bit slow until the first science orbit in April.

[ralph1]

Crescent Ceres!
http://www.nasa.gov/press/2015/march/nasa-spacecraft-becomes-first-to-orbit-a-dwarf-planet/#.VPt8nSkxGX0

Another picture
http://www.space.com/28757-nasa-dawn-spacecraft-ceres-future.html

[Neil]

Well apparently no new pictures till 10th April, then it's full steam ahead till mid-way through next year, should be exciting times with Horizons going on at the same time, clear skies.:thumbsup::D

[ralph1]

http://news.sciencemag.org/space/2015/03/scientists-may-have-solved-mystery-dwarf-planet-s-enigmatic-bright-spot

A possible answer to the white spots?

[Neil]

Ice in the base of a crater, this is a phenomena which is becoming more and more common throughout the solar system, I wonder what type of element is frozen on Ceres? Could it be Methane, Ammonia or even H2O, it will be interesting to know, perhaps it can be detected with spectroscopy?Clear skies.:thumbsup:

[ralph1]

An enhanced colour map of Ceres' surface and a surprising infrared discovery about the white spots

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4548

[rustigsmed]

thanks for sharing Ralph

Russ

[pluto]

New anim:
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/archive/PIA19317.gif

Very cool :D

From here:
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19317

[ralph1]

http://www.space.com/29154-dwarf-planet-ceres-mystery-spots-video.html

It's still tricky to tell but that bright spot pair may actually be a trio!

[geolindon]

The latest images at NASA web site of the brightest area now dubbed 'spot 5' shows two main and several smaller distinct bright areas. One of the larger spots is on the side of the crater's central peak and the other near the rim with smaller spots scattered between.

In some images it can be seen that the region around this crater has several/many sub-parallell lineal valleys or ravines that I do not see in other areas. Also in some images it appears one ravine feature is more strongly developed and passes very close to or through the crater, possibly intersecting another linear feature at or near the crater.

It's probable that the combination of the impact with the linear features has created a pathway for warmer water from below to escape to the surface where it forms fresh, clean reflective ice.

I envisage a geyser field. But what is the heat source? No gravitational friction so; ?radiation from decaying 'hot' minerals? residual heat from formation?

Go Dawn!! you liddle bewdy!:thumbsup:

Other less bright features may be smaller variations with more restricted pathways and some appear to be fresher craters with debris rays.

[rustigsmed]

http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/dawn/ceres-bright-spots-seen-closer-than-ever

New image, detail is getting sharper!

"Dawn scientists can now conclude that the intense brightness of these spots is due to the reflection of sunlight by highly reflective material on the surface, possibly ice," Christopher Russell, principal investigator for the Dawn mission from the University of California, Los Angeles, said recently.

[Neil]

Obviously highly reflective, possibly ice or polished metal, polished metal?? from some crashed vessel,..... no not aliens! Probably just ice, clear skies.:rofl:

[ralph1]

http://www.space.com/29514-nasa-dawn-ceres-craters-photo.html

Look in the centre of the hi-res image's largest crater; what is that propeller shaped feature?

[Slawomir]

And what about the lines across the surface?

http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA19065.jpg


Must have been Shelob -> http://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/images/1822/tk_05_big.jpg
dragging crashed ufos towards its burrow...

[AussieTrooper]

Heaps of small crater chains. I wonder if the surface lines (not the propeller) are crater chains with so many small impacts that they resemble a continuous line.

[RichardJ]

For those interested in the history of Astronomy. I've just returned from Sicily. Visited Palermo Observatory where Piazzi discovered Ceres.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Piazzi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palermo_Astronomical_Observatory

RichardJ :)

[RichardJ]

Check out APOD (June 10th) flyover of Ceres

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

RichardJ

[geolindon]

NASA posted pics (new to me) on the 10th. Look under Dawn in missions.

The floor of the crater that hosts the bright spots is noticeably smoother than any other nearby crater floors. Probably because previous ?water erupting from the bright spots ?springs/geysers has covered the floor hiding any subsequent impact craters and in turn has been covered by dust/debri or otherwise degraded/aged to a dull shade. A bit like the smoother basalt flows Maria on our moon. Also means the bright spots have some longevity.

Note also the deformed shapes of many of the craters including the bright spots one. This is a tectonically active world, and again I wonder what is the mechanism ?heat source.

wotcha reckon, L

[pluto]

Some nice new pics out:
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/keywords/dp

Look at this one:
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA19573.jpg
Awesome :D

[geolindon]

Thanks Hugh,

The second link is an awesome pic.

To me it looks like a bright newer crater, but also notice a couple of small really dark spots. One at top left appears to be at the apex of a pale V, the other smaller and darker one is below it about level with the bright crater, and another to that's lower right. Any ideas wot they might be? Carbon rich patches?? from asteroid fragments?? dust spots on the lense? caves??

Also I get the impression the overall surface texture is like a frozen snowball??

Cheers, L

[colinmlegg]

Not sure if anyone's mentioned this.. but the conical mountain is certainly quite odd and seems out of place. Appears to be around 6 km high and has already made an appearance on wiki under the heading "The Great Pyramid of Ceres" :)

[geolindon]

Nice pick up Col :thumbsup:

And the link seems the best resolved pic on various sites.

It's tempting to link the bright side of the mount with the fresh crater i.e. ejecta from the impact coated the mtn; but in doubt that's the case cos there is no ejecta in between them.

My two Bob would be on it being a cryovolcano, n that's a bit exciting :eyepop:

Cheers, L

[multiweb]

Link here: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA19579

[geolindon]

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/main/index.html

including the 6 km high bright ??ice mountain.:thumbsup:

my 2 bob;
an inactive cryo volcano with sun melt on the bright side and 3 recent craters - at 9 o'clock at the base of the mtn, at 9.30 near the summit and at 2 off the mountain. possibly some smaller fresh craters.

inactive because the summit is dark - carbon complexes dust?

the cratered dark side must be shaded by the mtn during 9 hour rotation and 4.6 year orbit?

the melt is brightest from 9 to 11 and the rest stretches back to 4 o'clock so a solstice must be near?

good fun :)

cheers, L

[Rob_K]

It's pretty obvious what it is, the biggest freakin' limpet in the whole Solar System. Just hope this bad boy doesn't ever get to Earth, can you imagine the size of the screwdriver you'd need to prise it loose?

Cheers -

[geolindon]

I am perplexed and intrigued by this mountain.
It looks remarkably similar to the glaciated mountains on Pluto.
But no evidence of glaciation nearnthis mtn. ? ? :question:

[ZeroID]

Almost like its erupted out of the surface as a whole, maybe it's a pimple ... Mt Pimple .. I like it !! :rofl:

On a slightly more serious note, re ejecta conumdrum. Gravity on Ceres is damn all of bugga little so it could be thrown off into space and never fall back to leave a scar or so little it's not noticeable.
Just thinking aloud ...

[rustigsmed]

Strange bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres are giant salt pans caused by the evaporation of water from a subsurface ocean, scientists have confirmed.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-10/ceres-bright-spots-mystery-solved-by-dawn-data/7014134

[pluto]

Mystery solved!
Thanks for posting :D

[geolindon]

On NASA's site this morning an article on Ahuna Mons aka; Mt Pimple; Limpet; Ceres' Pyramid.
After a year's worth of data from Dawn in lowering orbit producing much more detail, the mountain's origins are still not understood.

http://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/dawns-first-year-at-ceres-a-mountain-emerges

[geolindon]

Emily Lakdawalla has post an :eyepop: Planetary Society blog with latest Dawn close-ups of Ceres, especially of Occator crater and "The Bright Spots".

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2016/0330-lpsc-2016-so-much-ceres.html

[geolindon]

the latest on Ceres' bright spots;

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/ceres-bright-mound-briny-eruptions/

"Occator was gouged into the landscape about 34 million years ago, but the whitish dome at its center is much younger — just 4 million years old. That's the conclusion of a new analysis published in this month's Astronomical Journal by Andreas Nathues (Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research) and nine colleagues."

[geolindon]

"Dawn is going out on a high! Or maybe a low. Rapidly nearing the end of a unique decade-long interplanetary expedition, Dawn is taking phenomenal pictures of dwarf planet Ceres as it swoops closer to the ground than ever before. While the pictures are too new for compelling scientific conclusions to be reached, a clear consensus has already emerged: Wow!!!"

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/marc-rayman/dawn-journal-going-out-on-a-high.html