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.
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.
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!
"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
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!
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.
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.
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?