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.

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