You are here

Dawn Mission

Dawn is a NASA Discovery mission that targeting Vesta and Ceres, the two most massive asteroids. It entered orbit around Vesta in July 2011, then departed a year later. It will arrive at Ceres in February 2015, making it the first probe ever to orbit two astronomical bodies other than Earth.

Resources

Asteroid

Asteroids February 19, 2016

Radio Programs

Hospitable Ceres? A surprisingly hospitable asteroid September 29, 2017

Ceres Watery features on a giant asteroid May 2, 2017

Salty Ceres The “salty” surface of an asteroid April 11, 2016

More Dawn at Ceres Looking for water on an asteroid March 4, 2015

Dawn at Ceres A spacecraft makes a second port of call March 3, 2015

Moon and Jupiter Closing in on two dwarf planets January 6, 2015

Featured Images

The layered structure of Ceres

Icy Layers May 2, 2017
Diagram of the asteroid belt

Leftovers May 1, 2017
Dawn image of bright deposits on Ceres

Salty Ceres April 11, 2016
Dawn images of north pole of Ceres

Over the Top April 17, 2015
A full rotation of Ceres as seen by the Dawn mission

Final Approach March 3, 2015
Dawn image of mysterious bright spots on Ceres, February 19, 2015

Bright Mysteries February 26, 2015
Dawn image of Ceres, January 25, 2015

Getting Closer January 28, 2015
Artist's concept of water vapor around Ceres; HST image of Ceres

Watery Dwarf May 2, 2014
View of the asteroid Vesta from the Dawn spacecraft

Ready for Departure August 23, 2012
Dawn's first view of Vesta after entering orbit, July 2011

Settling In July 18, 2011
Dawn spacecraft view of asteroid Vesta shortly before entering orbit

First Stop July 15, 2011