Research probe Dawn has reached an asteroid of "Vesta"

To one of the largest asteroids which orbit lies between an orbit of Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid of Vesta is the asteroid second for the size which is in the Main asteroid belt. For research of this space body, in 2007, to it towards, space research probe Dawn has been sent. In July of current year, the research probe has orbited an asteroid, in September it has come nearer to a surface of Vesty on distance in 600 kilometres, and by November, will be at height in 200 kilometres from an asteroid surface. The primary goal which has been assigned to a research probe, fulfillment of framing of a surface of an asteroid which outwardly, bears a strong resemblance to the Moon surface enough.

Often enough, Vesta is perceived not as a large asteroid, and as very small planet. It is possible to explain it to that Vesta has a number of features and properties with which other planets of Solar system, such as Venus, Merkury, Mars or the Earth possess. However because of the small size and consequently also weights, Vesta cannot keep atmosphere round itself.

During mission of probe Dawn, scientists want to resolve a number of riddles which faced mankind throughout long decades concerning this asteroid. In particular, why the asteroid of Vesta is such bright that he can be observed from the Earth and it is a unique asteroid which can be observed from a surface of our planet even with open years. Concerning "brightness" of this asteroid, it is necessary to notice that fact that the Earth reflects 40 % of light falling on our planet and there is it thanks to snow on a planet surface, and as to clouds which shroud it. The moon reflects only 10 % of light which gets on its surface. However Vesta, on the reflecting properties is almost equal to the Earth.

Among the bodies, the making Main asteroid belt, Vesta is the most massive, and on the size the Pallada concedes only to an asteroid. The size Vesty is equal 578×560×458 kilometres. This asteroid has brightly differentiated structure of the internal structure: a stone cloak and a kernel consisting of an alloy iron and nickel.

Thanks to the optics established on probe Dawn, scientists are intended in details to consider a surface of an asteroid and lava streams on it. And thanks to presence onboard a probe of an infra-red spectrometer, scientists can understand, what deposits of minerals are present on this asteroid.