PASADENA, Calif., June 9 (UPI) — A new animated video released by NASA offers a unique view of the surface of Ceres, the closest of five identified dwarf planets in the solar system.
The animated short offers a range of perspectives of Ceres’ heavily cratered surface — some closeups, as well as some wide-angle vantages. Ceres’ surface is especially cragged as it lies within the asteroid belt and has no real atmosphere to protect it from wayward debris.
The video was created using a combination of images collected by NASA’s Dawn probe, some from its initial mapping orbit (taken at an altitude of 8,400 miles) and some from its most recent navigational flyby (captured from 3,200 miles).
Earlier this year, Dawn became the first spacecraft to visit Ceres. In early June, the probe began its second orbital survey of the dwarf planet. The craft will continue mapping Ceres over the next few weeks.
So far, the spacecraft’s efforts have failed to offer any clarity on the two mysterious bright spots sparkling from the bottom of a large crater.
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