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A Piece of the Asteroid Vest
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| title |
A Piece of the Asteroid Vesta |
| description |
This meteorite is a sample of the crust of the asteroid Vesta, which is only the third solar system object beyond Earth where scientists have a laboratory sample (the other extraterrestrial samples are from Mars and the Moon). The meteorite is unique because it is made almost entirely of the mineral pyroxene, common in lava flows. The meteorite's mineral grain structure also indicates it was once molten, and its oxygen isotopes are unlike oxygen isotopes found for all other rocks of the Earth and Moon. The meteorite's chemical identity points to the asteroid Vesta because it has the same unique spectral signature of the mineral pyroxene. The meteorite also has the same pyroxene signature as other small asteroids, recently discovered near Vesta, that are considered "chips" blasted off Vesta's surface. This debris extends all the way to an "escape hatch" region in the asteroid belt called the Kirkwood gap. This region is swept free of asteroids because Jupiter's gravitational pull removes material from the main belt and hurls it onto a new orbit that crosses Earth's path around the Sun. The meteorite probably followed this route to Earth. It was torn off Vesta's surface as part of a larger fragment. Subsequent collisions broke apart the parent fragment and threw pieces toward the Kirkwood gap and onto a collision course toward Earth. The fragment's journey ended in 1960 when it fell in Western Australia. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope observations further confirm this scenario by revealing a giant impact basin on the 325-mile (525 km) diameter asteroid. The ancient impact was so powerful, it tore off a piece of the asteroid's crust, exposing a deeper mantle of rock. Most of the identified meteorites from Vesta are in the care of the Western Australian Museum. This 1.4 pound (631 gm) specimen comes from the New England Meteoritical Services. It is a complete specimen measuring 3.7 inch x 3.1 inch x 3.4 inch (9.6 cm x 8.1 cm x 8.7 cm) showing the fusion crust, evidence of the last stage in its journey to Earth. *Image Credit*: R. Kempton (New England Meteoritical Services) |
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Key Stages in the Evolution
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| title |
Key Stages in the Evolution of the Asteroid Vesta |
| description |
Illustration of the process leading to the breakup of Vesta. *Image Credit*: B. Zellner (GA Southern Univ.), NASA |
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Hubble Follows the Rotation
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| title |
Hubble Follows the Rotation of the Asteroid Vesta |
| description |
This is a NASA Hubble Space Telescope series of 24 images showing the full 5.34-hour rotation of the 325-mile diameter (525 kilometer) asteroid Vesta. Hubble resolves features as small as 50 miles across, allowing astronomers to map Vesta's geologically diverse terrain. The surface is a complex record of Vesta's four billion-year history. Features include ancient lava flows, and a gigantic impact basin that is so deep, it exposes the asteroid's subsurface, or mantle. This sequence was taken with Hubble's Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 between November 28 and December 1, 1994, when Vesta was at a distance of 156 million miles from Earth. When combined with ground-based data, astronomers will be able to make the first geochemical map of Vesta's surface. *Image Credit*: B. Zellner (Georgia Southern University) and NASA |
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Asteroid or Mini-Planet? Hub
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| Title |
Asteroid or Mini-Planet? Hubble Maps the Ancient Surface of Vesta |
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Hubble Spies a Really Cool S
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| Title |
Hubble Spies a Really Cool Star |
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Hubble Sees Material Ejected
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| Title |
Hubble Sees Material Ejected from Comet Hale-Bopp |
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Hubble Discovers New Dark Sp
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| Title |
Hubble Discovers New Dark Spot on Neptune |
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Hubble Probes the Workings o
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| Title |
Hubble Probes the Workings of a Stellar Hydrogen Bomb |
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Asteroid or Mini-Planet? Hub
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| Title |
Asteroid or Mini-Planet? Hubble Maps the Ancient Surface of Vesta |
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Hubble Discovers New Dark Sp
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| Title |
Hubble Discovers New Dark Spot on Neptune |
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Asteroid or Mini-Planet? Hub
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| Title |
Asteroid or Mini-Planet? Hubble Maps the Ancient Surface of Vesta |
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Hubble Finds a Bare Black Ho
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| Title |
Hubble Finds a Bare Black Hole Pouring Out Light |
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Hubble Separates Stars in th
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| Title |
Hubble Separates Stars in the Mira Binary System |
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Hubble Reveals Huge Crater o
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| Title |
Hubble Reveals Huge Crater on the Surface of the Asteroid Vesta |
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Hubble Separates Stars in th
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| Title |
Hubble Separates Stars in the Mira Binary System |
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Hubble Reveals Huge Crater o
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| Title |
Hubble Reveals Huge Crater on the Surface of the Asteroid Vesta |
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Hubble Finds a Bare Black Ho
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| Title |
Hubble Finds a Bare Black Hole Pouring Out Light |
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Hubble Separates Stars in th
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| Title |
Hubble Separates Stars in the Mira Binary System |
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Hubble Finds a Bare Black Ho
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| Title |
Hubble Finds a Bare Black Hole Pouring Out Light |
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Hubble Sees Material Ejected
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| Title |
Hubble Sees Material Ejected from Comet Hale-Bopp |
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Hubble Reveals Huge Crater o
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| Title |
Hubble Reveals Huge Crater on the Surface of the Asteroid Vesta |
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Hubble Reveals Huge Crater o
…
| Title |
Hubble Reveals Huge Crater on the Surface of the Asteroid Vesta |
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Hubble Finds a Bare Black Ho
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| Title |
Hubble Finds a Bare Black Hole Pouring Out Light |
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Hubble Reveals Huge Crater o
…
| Title |
Hubble Reveals Huge Crater on the Surface of the Asteroid Vesta |
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Hubble Finds a Bare Black Ho
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds a Bare Black Hole Pouring Out Light |
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Hubble Separates Stars in th
…
| Title |
Hubble Separates Stars in the Mira Binary System |
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Hubble Reveals Huge Crater o
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| Title |
Hubble Reveals Huge Crater on the Surface of the Asteroid Vesta |
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Hubble Sees Material Ejected
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| Title |
Hubble Sees Material Ejected from Comet Hale-Bopp |
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Hubble Maps the Asteroid Ves
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| Title |
Hubble Maps the Asteroid Vesta |
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Hubble Images of Asteroids H
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| Title |
Hubble Images of Asteroids Help Astronomers Prepare for Spacecraft Visit |
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Hubble Images of Asteroids H
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| Title |
Hubble Images of Asteroids Help Astronomers Prepare for Spacecraft Visit |
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Hubble Images of Asteroids H
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| Title |
Hubble Images of Asteroids Help Astronomers Prepare for Spacecraft Visit |
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Hubble Images of Asteroids H
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| Title |
Hubble Images of Asteroids Help Astronomers Prepare for Spacecraft Visit |
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Dawn Briefing (201106230001H
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nasa, nasaheadquartersflickr
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Jim Adams, deputy director,
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5864513896_6b85246bd0_b
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2011-06-23 |
| creator |
NASA |
| identifier |
5864513896_6b85246bd0_b |
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Dawn Briefing (201106230003H
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nasa, nasaheadquartersflickr
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Christopher Russell, Dawn Pr
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5863960133_ebd7007383_o
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2011-06-23 |
| creator |
NASA |
| identifier |
5863960133_ebd7007383_o |
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Virtual Vesta
jplhdvideocollection, nasa
This video shows the scienti
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dawn20110308-1280-i
| mediatype |
VIDEO |
| mediatype |
movies |
| date |
2011-03-10 |
| creator |
NASA |
| identifier |
dawn20110308-1280-i |
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What's Up for July?
jplhdvideocollection, nasa
This month you can learn abo
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whatsup20110705-1280-i
| mediatype |
VIDEO |
| mediatype |
movies |
| date |
2011-07-05 |
| creator |
NASA |
| identifier |
whatsup20110705-1280-i |
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Dawn Briefing (201106230005H
…
nasa, nasaheadquartersflickr
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Carol Raymond, far right, sp
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5864513236_ba42e7249e_o
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2011-06-23 |
| creator |
NASA |
| identifier |
5864513236_ba42e7249e_o |
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Dawn Briefing (201106230002H
…
nasa, nasaheadquartersflickr
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Robert Mase, Dawn project ma
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5863960311_66247b09da_o
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2011-06-23 |
| creator |
NASA |
| identifier |
5863960311_66247b09da_o |
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Dawn Briefing (201106230002H
…
nasa, nasaheadquartersflickr
…
Robert Mase, Dawn project ma
…
5863960311_ed41e9e2c4_b
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2011-06-23 |
| creator |
NASA |
| identifier |
5863960311_ed41e9e2c4_b |
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Dawn Briefing (201106230004H
…
nasa, nasaheadquartersflickr
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Carol Raymond, Dawn deputy p
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5863959991_94814f4583_o
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2011-06-23 |
| creator |
NASA |
| identifier |
5863959991_94814f4583_o |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
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| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II first stage waits for the mating of additional solid rocket boosters for launch of the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Launch is targeted for July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
06/11/2007 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
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| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A solid rocket booster is raised off its transporter before being lifted into the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster will be mated to the Delta II first stage for launch of the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Launch is targeted for July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
06/11/2007 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Next to the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II first stage is being mated to the solid rocket boosters for launch of the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Launch is targeted for July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
06/11/2007 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Another solid rocket booster arrives on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to be mated to the Delta II first stage. The Delta is the launch vehicle for the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Launch is targeted for July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
06/11/2007 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, buildup of the Delta II first stage and solid rocket boosters for the Dawn spacecraft is seen. Below the rocket is the flame trench, and in the foreground is the overflow pool. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Launch is targeted for July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
06/11/2007 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Technicians at Astrotech check the Dawn spacecraft before spin-balance testing. After the test, Dawn will then be mated to the upper stage booster, installed into a spacecraft transportation canister for the trip to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and mated to the Delta II rocket at Launch Pad 17-B.The Dawn spacecraft will employ ion propulsion to explore two of the asteroid belt's most intriguing and dissimilar occupants: asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch by investigating in detail these largest protoplanets that have remained intact since their formations. Ceres and Vesta reside in the extensive zone between Mars and Jupiter together with many other smaller bodies, called the asteroid belt. Dawn is scheduled to launch July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller |
| Release Date |
06/13/2007 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A solid rocket booster is ready for lifting into the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster will be mated to the Delta II first stage for launch of the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Launch is targeted for July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
06/11/2007 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A solid rocket booster is ready for lifting into the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster will be mated to the Delta II first stage for launch of the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Launch is targeted for July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
06/11/2007 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Three solid rocket boosters are suspended in the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for mating to the Delta II first stage for launch of the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Launch is targeted for July 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
06/11/2007 |
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