Observations reveal curiosities on the surface of asteroid Ceres

(Click on the image above to view or download a larger, full-resolution version.)

The figure on the left is the Hubble Space Telescope mid-ultraviolet image of Ceres that shows the Piazzi feature as a darkened spot near the center. Vectors show the direction of the sun and the image North-East orientation. The figure on the right is a "model image" of the data with the darkness of the Piazzi feature exaggerated to show more clearly its location.

The mid-UV and the near-UV HST/FOC images of Ceres. Vectors show the direction of the Sun and the image North-East orientation. The values for the relative rotational phase (phi), of each image were calculated assuming a synodic rotational period of P=9.075 hours. The images have been scaled such that they are all normalized to their peak pixel value for optimal contrast and ease of cross-comparisons. The Piazzi feature is near the center of the first mid-UV image (phi = 0.0 deg).

These images may be used by the public and the media for educational and informational purposes only. Credit to Southwest Research Institute and NASA should be given.