Bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres continue to puzzle researchers. When recently a team of astronomers led by Paolo Molaro of the Trieste Astronomical Observatory in Italy, conducted observations of these features, they found out something unexpected. The scientists were surprised to detect that the spots brighten during the day and also show other variations. This variability still remains a mystery.
The bright features have been discovered by NASA's Dawn spacecraft which is orbiting this dwarf planet, constantly delivering substantial information about it. These spots reflect far more light than their much darker surroundings. The composition of these features is discussed as the scientists debate if they are made of water ice, of evaporated salts, or something else.
Molaro and his colleagues studied the spots on Ceres in July and August 2015, using the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS), as was reported by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) earlier this year. This instrument, mounted on ESO's 3.6m telescope at La Silla Observatory in Chile, enables measurements of radial velocities with the highest accuracy currently available.
By utilizing HARPS, the researchers found out unexpected changes in the mysterious bright spots. However, at the beginning they thought that it was an instrumental problem. But after double checking, they had to conclude that the radial velocity anomalies were likely real. Then the team noticed that they were connected to periods of time when the bright spots in the Occator crater were visible from the Earth. So the scientists made an association between them.
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Dawn spacecraft captures new images of Ceres' Occator Crater
NASA's Dawn spacecraft has entered into its final planned orbital position from which it will study the dwarf planet Ceres, the lowest the probe has descended to the tiny world since it arrived in orbit on March 6, 2015.
The probe is powered by three xenon ion thrusters and it enter[ed] into its new orbit around the dwarf planet on June 6, 2018. Since then, the spacecraft has begun beaming back to Earth stunning new and closer images of this tiny worldlet.
One of Dawn's targets is Occator Crater. While the name might not ring a bell even among space enthusiasts, the "bright spots" contained within the crater should. These deposits are thought to be salt from briny water that erupted from the dwarf planet's surface before sublimating. It was found that the bright regions were comprised of sodium carbonate. On Earth, these salts are left behind when water evaporates.
Dawn was instructed to fire its ion engine—for what could be the last time—last week. By carrying out this maneuver, the probe flew closer to the dwarf planet's Cerealia Facula. This is the region of Occator Crater that contains a large deposit of sodium carbonate.
Perhaps more important than the cool photographs will be the data collected by the spacecraft's two other instruments, and particularly the Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND).
Previously: Ceres Bright Spots Seen Closer Than Ever
Life On Ceres? Mysterious Changes in the Bright Spots Still Baffle Scientists
Bright Areas on Ceres Suggest Geologic Activity
Evidence of a Seasonal Water Cycle and Surface Changes Found on Ceres
Dawn's Orbit Around Ceres: A New Low
Dawn's Orbit Around Ceres: First Images
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 01 2016, @08:00PM
"These observations suggest that the material of the spots is volatile and evaporates in the warm glow of sunlight. "
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160316082727.htm [sciencedaily.com]
(Score: 2) by Adamsjas on Wednesday June 01 2016, @09:41PM
Warm Glow?
Not warm enough to melt water ice, probably not even warm enough to melt many/most gaseous ices.
Estimates vary from 168 K to 235 K at Perihelion.
(Score: 2) by butthurt on Wednesday June 01 2016, @10:25PM
235 K is −38 °C, right around the melting point of mercury. Nitrogen, methane and oxygen would all be gases. Water ice could sublime. Lower temperatures have been observed in Canada:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_extreme_temperatures_in_Canada#Lowest_temperature_readings [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 01 2016, @09:05PM
The aliens couldn't patch their hollow base in time; now we are on to them. That means they'll have to wipe us out. Good knowin' ya all, it's been real.
(Score: 1) by Francis on Wednesday June 01 2016, @09:15PM
That's ridiculous. Everybody knows that NASA put the sound stage on Ceres that they used to fake the moon landings.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 02 2016, @12:49AM
If they can put a.....nevermind.
(Score: 3, Funny) by bob_super on Wednesday June 01 2016, @10:39PM
It's a known fact that the bright spot is some organic material which missed the target when the Earth got covered in life 6000 years ago.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 02 2016, @12:48AM
dwarfs are so hot...still spanking it to that Pluto pic [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1) by ramloss on Thursday June 02 2016, @02:27PM
What do you mean by "missed the target"? That surely is impossible! It was put there intentionally for reasons we're to limited to understand.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 01 2016, @10:45PM
He probably knows what the answer is.
(Score: 2) by VanderDecken on Thursday June 02 2016, @01:09AM
Damned kids with their laser pointers ...
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.
(Score: 2) by deimtee on Thursday June 02 2016, @01:31AM
Both the summary and TFA make the statement that the spots get brighter when facing Earth. Facing the Sun I can understand as a thermal related change, but facing the Earth can only mean the aliens are afraid of our lasers and are raising shields whenever we could target them.
One job constant is that good employers have low turnover, so opportunities to join good employers are relatively rare.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 02 2016, @07:51AM
You mean to say that the bright spots which others have posited are electromagnetic in origin are actually brighter when the source of their electromagnetic differential is in view!? ASTOUNTDING! [youtube.com]
Hold the fuck on, while I consult the Ancient Aliens guy since he is apparently less moronic than today's astronomers after pressing them through the doctrine sieve.