Dawn spacecraft nears dwarf planet Ceres

[davekill]

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/

[Bromptonboy]

I wonder if that is some kind of silica on the surface that is reflecting back.  Or obelisks...  ;)

[moyer777]

It might be an alien base.

[MARKO]

Here is the issue with the so  called reflection.... its still shining when the dwarf planet is not facing the sun hmmmmmmmm?

[Bromptonboy]

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).. ?  :)

[owenbre]

This really is fascinating.....

http://www.space.com/28740-dwarf-planet-ceres-strange-facts.html

[Bromptonboy]

That is interesting.  I am thinking those 2 spots are ice crystals (perhaps an ice plume).  Can't wait for more data.

[davekill]

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