NASA Dawn mission: spacecraft takes first image of dwarf planet Ceres

The Dawn spacecraft, powered by ion thrusters, is on a mission to reach Ceres, the largest body in the asteroid belt, by March. Ceres, also a dwarf planet, lies between Mars and Jupiter. Dawn aims to capture images and data on Ceres' chemistry and geology. With a diameter of 590 miles, Ceres is similar in size to Texas. Observations of water vapor plumes suggest possible geysers, and scientists speculate its structure includes layers of rock, clay, ice, and a rocky core.

What powers the Dawn spacecraft on its mission to Ceres?

• Ion thruster engines

• Solar panels

• Chemical rockets

• Nuclear reactors

Where is the asteroid belt, where Ceres is located, situated?

• Between Earth and Mars

• Between Venus and Earth

• Between Mars and Jupiter

• Between Jupiter and Saturn

How does the size of Ceres compare to a US state?

• It is smaller than Rhode Island

• It is comparable to Texas

• It is larger than California

• It is the size of Alaska

What phenomenon has been observed on Ceres' surface?

• Dust storms

• Lava flows

• Sand dunes

• Water vapor plumes

What do scientists speculate about the internal structure of Ceres?

• It is a solid rock

• It has a liquid core

• It consists of layers of rock, clay, ice, and a rocky core

• It is made entirely of ice