NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtained this image on its approach to the protoplanet Vesta, the second-most massive object in the main asteroid belt. The image was obtained on June 20, 2011. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ UCLA/MPS/DLR/PSI)
Posted on 07/15/2011 12:31:35 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
The asteroid Vesta may be the brightest asteroid in the solar system, but it remains shrouded in mystery.
When NASA's Dawn probe enters into orbit around Vesta on July 15 — the first spacecraft to visit the 330-mile-wide (530-kilometer) protoplanet — it promises to shed light on the many enigmas of the second-largest body in the asteroid belt.
NASA launched the $466 million Dawn mission in 2007, with Vesta as the first (but not last) stop. The Dawn probe is also expected to visit Ceres, the largest asteroid in the solar system, but only after unlocking the secrets of Vesta. Here's a look at the main questions astronomers hope the probe will help solve:
Why is Vesta so bright?
Vesta is the brightest asteroid, with a surface about three times as bright as Earth's moon, "and why it is so bright is the No. 1 mystery of Vesta," planetary scientist Christopher Russell, principal investigator for NASA's Dawn spacecraft, told SPACE.com. ..
When one looks at the most reflective celestial bodies in our solar system, Venus is the most reflective planet because of its clouds, and the sixth-largest Saturn moon Enceladus is the most reflective body overall because of its snow, "but Vesta doesn't have an atmosphere or snow," Russell noted. "Hopefully when Dawn inspects Vesta's surface, we'll get an answer."
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtained this image on its approach to the protoplanet Vesta, the second-most massive object in the main asteroid belt. The image was obtained on June 20, 2011. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ UCLA/MPS/DLR/PSI)
NASA’s Dawn web site
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/main/index.html
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NASA Spacecraft to Enter Asteroid’s Orbit on July 15
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/news/dawn20110714.html
So they should be getting some pix soon.
Any live coverage?
Just in time for the 11 o’clock news here on the west coast
probe should get ‘captured’ about 10 PM PDT tonight ..
the probe will continue its journey and leave for Ceres, a dwarf planet, in July 2012.. it took ‘em a bit of wangling to ease in around Vesta..
Ceres should prove more interesting...
http://www.space.com/12279-nasa-dawn-asteroid-mission-works-infographic.html
Infographic:
How NASA’s Dawn Asteroid Mission Works (Infographic)
Karl Tate, SPACE.com Infographics Artist
Date: 14 July 2011
*sigh* NASA... I’ll fondly remember it.
New horizons is the mission I’m most interested in. Closest approach in 2015.
Talk about a long shot that takes forever.. Thanks!
How the heck they don’t bump into something out there is beyond me.
These “lesser” missions do help with the wait.
Pluto is still a planet in my book and definitely exciting to get a first look even if I do have to wait 9 years. That’s a hell of a ride.
I hear ya.. The Saturn 5B launches are most memorable.. the roar, the rattle,, the pure unadulterated power.. no more.
Chrome plating does wonders!
It’s really hard to imagine how vast and empty space is. :) Just a few hydrogen atoms per square meter. If you were smack in the middle of the asteroid belt, you would not likely see an asteroid for years at a time.
Lets all enjoy what is left of our space program, not going to be much of one when Obobo is done
Why so bright? A 330 mile lump of solid silver, maybe? Or just pure ice? Questions, questions...
That's no asteroid...
Looks like the craft has entered orbit....maybe. Apparently they won’t know for a while.
Even if they didn’t succeed they can try again. Apparently the trajectory of the craft is keeping pace with the roid.
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