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Old 24-01-2015, 02:02 PM
ralph1
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Dawn nearing Ceres, interesting surface features already

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-mysteriou...-on-ceres.html
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Old 24-01-2015, 02:29 PM
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Eden (Brett)
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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.
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Old 24-01-2015, 03:05 PM
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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.
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Old 24-01-2015, 03:19 PM
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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_(s...Ceres_approach

(That resolution threshold for New Horizons / Pluto will occur on May 5)
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Old 27-01-2015, 05:25 AM
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ZeroID (Brent)
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Cerewhite spot solved !!

Now you know ....
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (ceres.png)
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Old 12-02-2015, 06:21 PM
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An fb buddy of mine posted that xkcd cartoon on my timeline today- it's such a classic.
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Old 12-02-2015, 07:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eden View Post
It's tempting to assume that it's simply an ice cap but only time will tell.
It's nowhere near the pole so that would be one weird ice cap!
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/...0204-anim.html
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Old 12-02-2015, 08:06 PM
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There are a few of them now visible - might be ice-filled craters?
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Old 12-02-2015, 08:28 PM
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It is astounding to be seeing a planet for the first time like this. Very exciting :-)
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Old 12-02-2015, 08:47 PM
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from Nasa; http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/dawn/dawn-sp.../#.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!! Lindon

Last edited by geolindon; 13-02-2015 at 05:30 AM.
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Old 13-02-2015, 06:56 AM
RichardJ (Richard)
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Nice animation of latest images at
http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/feature_sto...warfPlanet.asp
Exciting times.

RichardJ
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Old 13-02-2015, 09:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardJ View Post
Nice animation of latest images at
http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/feature_sto...warfPlanet.asp
Exciting times.

RichardJ
Those are quite old, these are newer:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/...0204-anim.html

There should be another release any day now too


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!
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Old 13-02-2015, 08:53 PM
RichardJ (Richard)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pluto View Post
Those are quite old, these are newer:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/...0204-anim.html

There should be another release any day now too


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

RichardJ
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Old 18-02-2015, 06:34 AM
RichardJ (Richard)
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Some new images available

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

RichardJ
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Old 18-02-2015, 08:47 AM
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Thanks for posting Richard, starting to get some proper details now!
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Old 18-02-2015, 04:26 PM
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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.
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Old 26-02-2015, 04:07 PM
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Wow!!
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily...s-geology.html
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  #18  
Old 26-02-2015, 07:04 PM
geolindon (Lindon)
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thanks for posting the link Hugh

n i agree go geoemily!!

http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/dawn/bright-...l#.VO7iOvmUexU
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Old 04-03-2015, 04:23 PM
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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.
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  #20  
Old 04-03-2015, 05:38 PM
ralph1
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http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily...e-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?
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