WASHINGTON: The Dawn probe, which has futuristic ion propulsion, is due to go into orbit around the mini-world tomorrow.
Recent images of Ceres taken by the spacecraft’s cameras have already yielded a mystery that has excited scientists – two bright white spots sitting inside a wide crater.
One theory is that they are the plumes of ice volcanoes. Alternatively, the striking features could be where impacts have dug out surface deposits and exposed the planet’s interior.
Scientists believe Ceres could be covered in an icy crust, perhaps encasing a subterranean ocean.
Robert Mase, project manager for the Dawn mission at the American space agency Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said: “Dawn is about to make history. Our team is ready and eager to find out what Ceres has in store for us.”
As Dawn spirals down closer to Ceres, it will be able to take sharper pictures of the spots. Scientists will also look for signs of their appearance changing, which would indicate geological activity.
Ceres was first spotted by Sicilian astronomer Father Giuseppe Piazzi in 1801. As more objects were discovered in the same region they became known as asteroids, or minor planets.
Initially classified as a planet, Ceres was later categorised as an asteroid. In 2006 it was re-classified as a “dwarf planet” along with Pluto and Eris, which lies near the edge of the solar system.
Dawn was launched in September 2007, making its first port of call the giant asteroid Vesta, which it explored for 14 months, capturing detailed images and data.
The two-stop tour was made possible by Dawn’s three ion engines, which are far more efficient than conventional chemical rockets.
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