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Differentiation of the asteroid Ceres as revealed by its shape

Author

Listed:
  • P. C. Thomas

    (Cornell University)

  • J. Wm. Parker

    (SwRI)

  • L. A. McFadden

    (University of Maryland)

  • C. T. Russell

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • S. A. Stern

    (SwRI)

  • M. V. Sykes

    (Planetary Science Institute)

  • E. F. Young

    (SwRI)

Abstract

Worlds of difference Claims that Kuiper belt body 2003 UB313 is the ‘tenth planet’, and the ongoing dispute about the ‘planet-ness’ of Pluto, mean that the question of whether there is a firm line between planets and asteroids could not be more topical. A new study of Hubble Space Telescope images of the largest known asteroid encourages the view that the dividing line is at best blurred. Ceres has many of the characteristics of the much larger planets, and a similar history. It is a lot smaller than our Moon, yet HST images show it is a smooth, ellipsoid, probably shaped by separation of a rocky core from an icy mantle. Unlike the icy satellites of Saturn and Jupiter, Ceres is dark, suggesting that its mantle may underlie a thin crust of rocky material.

Suggested Citation

  • P. C. Thomas & J. Wm. Parker & L. A. McFadden & C. T. Russell & S. A. Stern & M. V. Sykes & E. F. Young, 2005. "Differentiation of the asteroid Ceres as revealed by its shape," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7056), pages 224-226, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:437:y:2005:i:7056:d:10.1038_nature03938
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03938
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