Flyaround video of Vesta as seen from low orbit by Dawn

[marcus]

"Flyaround" video of Vesta as seen from low orbit by Dawn

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/16sep_vestaflyaround/

 

[Gnosis]

Marcus, thanks for posting the link.

 

[Radrook]

Wonder what the mineral value of Vesta is.

 

[marcus]

Wonder what the mineral value of Vesta is.

Are you kidding? the real prize is CERES which is twice the diameter and is estimated to have a water-ice outer mantle. Although in the asteroid belt, Ceres is classified as a (dwarf) planet.

As I expect you know, the Dawn spacecraft is scheduled to switch on its ion drive and spiral out from Vesta in about 12 months from now, so it can move over to Ceres.

 

[Orion1]

Marcus, an absolutely fantastic video link!, thanks.

High resolution images similar to this of the dwarf planet Ceres would be absolutely awesome!
[/Color]

 

[Dotini]

...the real prize is CERES which is twice the diameter and is estimated to have a water-ice outer mantle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17481911

I noticed the photo of light and dark material in a photo of Vesta in this article. Is there any reason why the light material couldn't be water ice?

Respectfully submitted,
Steve