TREKS IN SCI-FI FORUM

Main Decks => Science Stuff => Topic started by: davekill on March 05, 2015, 02:39:18 AM

Title: Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres
Post by: davekill on March 05, 2015, 02:39:18 AM
Propelled by three ion engines, the probe encounters it's first mystery as it prepares for orbit.
Two bright spots seen from 20 thousand miles are of unknown origin.

http://arynews.tv/en/nasa-dawn-nears-encounter-dwarf-planet-ceres/ (http://arynews.tv/en/nasa-dawn-nears-encounter-dwarf-planet-ceres/)
Title: Re: Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres
Post by: Bromptonboy on March 05, 2015, 04:38:47 AM
I wonder if that is some kind of silica on the surface that is reflecting back.  Or obelisks...  ;)
Title: Re: Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres
Post by: moyer777 on March 05, 2015, 08:48:15 AM
It might be an alien base.
Title: Re: Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres
Post by: MARKO on March 05, 2015, 09:07:15 AM
Here is the issue with the so  called reflection.... its still shining when the dwarf planet is not facing the sun hmmmmmmmm?
Title: Re: Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres
Post by: Bromptonboy on March 05, 2015, 10:10:03 AM
Quote from: MARKO on March 05, 2015, 09:07:15 AM
Here is the issue with the so  called reflection.... its still shining when the dwarf planet is not facing the sun hmmmmmmmm?
Wow - I hadn't read that - I have only seen this one photo. It is in the middle of the crater - perhaps the object that hit the crater is somehow radioactive - and split into 2 bits when it struck? And the camera is sensitive to this. The planet is bathed in light in this pic.
Have they ruled out lens flair...  (smirk).. ?  :)
Title: Re: Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres
Post by: owenbre on March 06, 2015, 04:09:47 AM
This really is fascinating.....

http://www.space.com/28740-dwarf-planet-ceres-strange-facts.html (http://www.space.com/28740-dwarf-planet-ceres-strange-facts.html)
Title: Re: Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres
Post by: Bromptonboy on March 06, 2015, 12:53:07 PM
That is interesting.  I am thinking those 2 spots are ice crystals (perhaps an ice plume).  Can't wait for more data.
Title: Re: Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres
Post by: davekill on March 06, 2015, 01:28:38 PM
A live presentation was held today March 6, and can be viewed at slooh.com
http://live.slooh.com/stadium/live/dawn-to-arrive-for-ceres (http://live.slooh.com/stadium/live/dawn-to-arrive-for-ceres)