Dawn shows Vesta to be remnant protoplanet
Posted: Mon, May 14, 2012, 6:22 AM ET (1022 GMT)
Scientists analyzing data from NASA's Dawn spacecraft orbiting the large asteroid Vesta have concluded that the body has some of the key characteristics of a planet, suggesting it is a protoplanet left over from the solar system's formation. Observations of the asteroid show that it is a differentiated body, featuring an iron core with a radius of 110 kilometers as well as a mantle and crust. That leads scientists to conclude that Vesta is a protoplanet whose evolution into a full-fledged planet was stopped before it could evolve into a larger world. Scientists also confirmed that a class of meteorites that comprise six percent of meteorites found on Earth are from Vesta. Observations of Vesta by Dawn will continue through late August, when the spacecraft will depart for its other planned destination, the asteroid/dwarf planet Ceres, arriving there in 2015.
Scientists analyzing data from NASA's Dawn spacecraft orbiting the large asteroid Vesta have concluded that the body has some of the key characteristics of a planet, suggesting it is a protoplanet left over from the solar system's formation. Observations of the asteroid show that it is a differentiated body, featuring an iron core with a radius of 110 kilometers as well as a mantle and crust. That leads scientists to conclude that Vesta is a protoplanet whose evolution into a full-fledged planet was stopped before it could evolve into a larger world. Scientists also confirmed that a class of meteorites that comprise six percent of meteorites found on Earth are from Vesta. Observations of Vesta by Dawn will continue through late August, when the spacecraft will depart for its other planned destination, the asteroid/dwarf planet Ceres, arriving there in 2015.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Apex becomes billion-dollar company with $200 million Series D round
Posted: Sun, Sep 14 4:09 AM ET (0809 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, September 18
Russia developing Starlink rival at 'rapid pace,' space chief says
Reuters — 1:56 am ET (0556 GMT) Rocket Lab Looks To Raise $750M In Share Sale
Aviation Week — 1:53 am ET (0553 GMT) Blue Origin hires Christopher Fuller as marketing and comms head
PRWeek — 1:52 am ET (0552 GMT) Weather Causes SpaceX Team to Scrub Wednesday’s Liftoff Attempt From VSFB
Noozhawk — 1:50 am ET (0550 GMT) Update: SpaceX Launch from Vandenberg Rescheduled Due to Weather
Santa Barbara (CA) Edhat — 1:50 am ET (0550 GMT) |
