Posted: Tue, Aug 2, 2011, 9:32 AM ET (1332 GMT)
NASA released Monday the first detailed images taken of Vesta by the Dawn spacecraft now orbiting the main belt asteroid. The images were taken last month by the spacecraft's framing camera as it prepared to begin its first science orbit of the asteroid this month. The images show a variety of features that they plan to devote further study to, including dark and bright spots in the asteroid's northern hemisphere and grooved terrain. Dawn arrived in orbit around Vesta last month and will remain there for a year before moving on to another asteroid, Ceres.

Related Links:

•  SPACE.com article
•  New Scientist article
•  AP article
•  San Francisco Chronicle article
•  NASA/JPL press release