Detectable Haze On Dwarf Planet Ceres Bolsters Top Theory For Bizarre Bright Spots
(CBS SF) -- New information about the mysterious bright spots on Ceres is giving scientists new leads about the dwarf planet's history.
Observations by NASA's Dawn spacecraft shows haze lifting from the surface of the spots, creating a mini atmosphere within a 57-mile-wide crater.
The bright spots are likely a solid substance changing into vapor, according to Dawn principal investigator Christopher Russell.
This new piece of information gives more credit to the theory that Ceres' bright spots are composed of ice, rather than salt -- the top two leading theories at the moment.
"This is our major mystery," Russell said at NASA Exploration Science Forum earlier this month.
Based off Ceres' density, scientists are almost certain the planet contains large quantities of water mostly in the form of ice. Some researchers believe liquid water may exist beneath the dwarf planets's surface, which would be a major discovery.
"It is possible that the water systems associated with Ceres may harbor life, and could be conducive to life more than some of the outer solar system bodies," Russell said. "So I would say, we really do need to spend some time in probing the surface of Ceres and checking out its astrobiological implications."
Nicole Jones is a digital producer for CBS San Francisco. Follow her musings @nicjonestweets