NASA's Dawn Spacecraft Captures Closest Images Yet of Dwarf Planet Ceres

Scientists are getting some new images from the Dawn spacecraft's closest orbit to the dwarf planet Ceres. The new images reveal details of the cratered and fractured surface. Not only that, but 3D versions of two of these views are also available.

Among the striking views is a chain of craters called Gerber Catena, located just west of the large crater Urvara. Troughs are common on larger planetary bodies, caused by contraction, impact stresses and the loading of the crust by large mountains.

In fact, the fracturing found all across Ceres' surface indicates that similar processes may have occurred there, despite its smaller size. Many of the troughs and grooves on Ceres were likely formed as a result of impacts, but some appear to be tectonic, reflecting internal stresses that broke the crust.

The latest images seen were taken on Dec. 10 at an altitude of just 240 miles above the surface of Ceres. This is the lowest-ever orbital altitude, and Dawn will remain at this particular height for the rest of its mission and indefinitely afterward.

Why the fractures are so prominent is not yet understood. However, researchers believe that they could be related to the complex crustal structure of Ceres.

"As we take the highest-resolution data ever from Ceres, we will continue to examine our hypotheses and uncover even more surprises about this mysterious world," said Chris Russell, principal investigator of the Dawn mission, in a news release.

It's likely that as the researchers continue to examine the images from the spacecraft, they'll learn moer and more about the dwarf planet.

To learn more about the Ceres mission, visit NASA's website.

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