SPACE — Ceres is the only dwarf planet located in the inner part of the solar system, while the others are located at the outer edge, the Kuiper Belt. Although it is the smallest known dwarf planet, it is the largest object in the asteroid belt.
Unlike other rocky bodies in the asteroid belt, Ceres is an oblate ball (like Earth), rounded with a rotational bulge around its equator. Scientists think Ceres may have an ocean as well as an atmosphere.
The recent arrival of space probes has revealed some of the dwarf planet’s secrets. But some others are still hidden.
Bright Points and Lonely Mountains
On March 6, 2015, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft became the first probe to orbit two bodies in the solar system. After leaving the asteroid Vesta, Dawn travels to Ceres, an icy world that has fascinated scientists for years.
Also read: Scientists believe there is life on the dwarf planet Ceres, now it is a priority mission
Although most asteroids are made of rock, Ceres may have contained water on its surface as early as 1991, although this indication has continued to be confirmed since this time.
Most of Ceres’ surface is a dull gray color. Spectral observations of Ceres have revealed the presence of a form of graphite known as graphitic carbon. “It hasn’t evolved into true graphite. But it’s close,” said Amanda Hendrix, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, Arizona.
As Dawn got closer to the giant asteroid, the bright spots on its surface became increasingly clear. After observing Ceres, 130 similar spots with different brightness were discovered on the planet.
Ceres’ surface is generally as reflective as freshly poured asphalt, while its spots range from the dull sheen of concrete, to the brightness of ice floating in Earth’s oceans. The brightest region is located in the 90-kilometer-wide Occator Crater, which contains the most famous collection of shining spots on Ceres’ surface. What point is that? increasingly makes Ceres unique.
Initial speculation about the spot included the possibility of icebergs on the dwarf planet. In reality, only one lonely mountain rose from the surface.
This pyramid-shaped mountain rises as high as 21,120 feet or 6,437 meters. For comparison, Semeru in Indonesia is 3,676 meters high and Everest is 8,849 meters.
The first mountain stood alone, with no evidence of volcanic or other geological activity. This shows that the origin of the mountain is confusing scientists.
Research into the spots initially found signs of hydrated magnesium sulfate, the same material that makes up Epsom salts on Earth. However, further examination revealed chemical signs of sodium carbonate.
2023-10-19 11:10:00
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