Norbert Schorghofer (and the Dawn Team)

Institut for Astronomy

Title:

Results from the Dawn Mission to Ceres
 
Abstract:
 
Dawn is the first spacecraft to orbit a dwarf planet. The presence of
complex craters on the Cererian surface indicates a soft (icy) crust,
and the persistence of even large craters requires a crust stronger
than pure water ice. H-rich material is detected within the uppermost
meter at high latitudes, consistent with a slowly retreating ice
crust. Spectroscopically the surface is H2O-free, except for a tiny
spot in Oxo Crater. The crust is rich in ice and salts. In the polar
regions, permanently shadowed craters have been identified and we are
searching for ice in them. Long-wavelength topography is subdued,
consistent with a once melted core. Topography is at least partially
compensated (high topography has less gravity). Ceres exhibits many
features known from terrestrial planets and not present on asteroids.