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
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
—
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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