Ceres Reveals Hidden Brines and Cryovolcanic Activity Beneath Occator Crater

1 min read
Source: Universe Today
Ceres Reveals Hidden Brines and Cryovolcanic Activity Beneath Occator Crater
Photo: Universe Today
TL;DR

NASA’s Dawn data show Ceres has a complex surface with a gravity anomaly indicating subsurface brines beneath Occator crater, where bright deposits like Cerealia Facula and Vinalia Facula suggest recent cryovolcanic activity. The findings point to a possible past subsurface ocean, a high water content around 25%, and ongoing surface modification from impacts, making a future orbiter/lander sample-return mission plausible to study these features in detail.

Share this article

Want the full story? Read the original reporting

Read on Universe Today