Vesta is an asteroid, curious in many ways. This is the only such object that can be seen with the naked eye. In terms of mass and size, Vesta surpasses most other known asteroids in the space between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars. In terms of its parameters, it is even closer to. Located in the Main Vesta, it refers to bodies that were formed at about the same period as the Earth, which means that it can tell a lot about the distant past of our system.
Opening
Vesta is an asteroid discovered while searching for a planet between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. According to the theory, the distribution of orbits in space around the Sun obeys a certain pattern. All planets known at the beginning of the 19th century fit into this theory. The only exceptions were Jupiter and Mars. The huge space between them was supposed to hide an unknown planet. During her search, many elements of the main asteroid belt were discovered.
Vesta was discovered in 1807 by Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers. Another scientist, Karl Gauss, gave her the name of the ancient Roman goddess of the hearth. The name stuck and is still used today.
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After Ceres was attributed to the dwarf planets, Vesta ranks second in size among asteroids after Pallas. Its parameters are 578 × 560 × 458 km. The noticeable asymmetry of the shape does not allow Vesta to be attributed to dwarf planets. In terms of mass (2.59 * 10 20 kg), it is ahead of Pallas, that is, in the main asteroid belt, only the same Ceres surpasses it in this parameter.
Does the asteroid Vesta have an atmosphere?
Asteroids do not just stand out as a separate class of cosmic bodies. They differ from planets in a number of parameters: size, shape, mass, and so on. Signs characteristic of the asteroid do not allow it to hold the gas envelope. Therefore, the answer to the question "does the asteroid Vesta have an atmosphere" is negative. An extremely rarefied shell of gas exists on Ceres. Other bodies in the Main Belt cannot boast of such a characteristic as the asteroid Vesta. Has an atmosphere of Earth, Venus, Mars, gas giants and some satellites. Asteroids are too small for that.
How to see the asteroid Vesta?
Due to its brightness, Vesta can be seen with the naked eye. Although it is inferior in size to Ceres and Pallas, it is characterized by a more significant reflectivity. Other asteroids from Earth cannot be seen without special equipment.
The best time to look for an asteroid in the sky are the days of opposition, when it comes closest to Earth. During these periods, its brightness increases to 5.1 m (the minimum value of this parameter is 8.5 m). The last time such a confrontation took place was in April 2014.
Vesta approaches the minimum distance to our planet every 3-4 years. Without a telescope, it can be seen only in good visibility conditions. Moreover, it does not differ from ordinary stars.
Traffic
Vesta's orbit lies in the inner part of the Main Asteroid Belt. Its shape is only slightly elongated - it is an almost perfect circle. The orbit is characterized by a slight inclination to the plane of the ecliptic. Vesta makes one revolution around the Sun in 3.6 years. At the same time, during its movement, the asteroid does not cross the orbit of our planet.
Automatic interplanetary station Dawn
In July 2011, Vesta passed the point of minimum distance to our planet. This period was used for a detailed study of the asteroid. Back in 2007, AMC Dawn went to Vesta. The mission of the apparatus is to study this asteroid, as well as the dwarf planet Ceres.
Dawn entered the circular orbit of Vesta on July 16, 2011. By December 12, it reached its minimum height above the asteroid. Among the tasks of the apparatus were the measurement of the gravitational field, the determination of the spectrum of neutrons and gamma rays, which appears when cosmic rays fall on the asteroid Vesta. Photos of the object began to arrive on Earth on December 13th.
AMC Dawn left the 2012 asteroid and traveled to Ceres. To date (December 2015), the device continues its work in the orbit of a dwarf planet.
Sight
Vesta is an asteroid carefully "examined" by the Hubble telescope. The research was carried out in the 90s of the last century. Hubble has studied the surface of the asteroid. The most impressive detail of the relief turned out to be a giant crater, later named Reyasilvia. The trail, presumably left by the collision, is 460 km in diameter and 13 km deep. Scientists still cannot answer the question of how Vesta was able to survive such a blow.
AMC Dawn also studied the state of the crater. According to scientists, Rheasilvia was formed 1 billion years ago. The crater basin partially obscures the trail from another more ancient impact, called the Veneneya crater. In the center of Reyasilvia there is a mountain 22 km high and 180 km in diameter. In terms of its parameters, it is ahead of the giant Olympus on Mars, which was previously considered the highest known mountain in the solar system.
Scientists suggest that the material ejected during the impact served as the material for the emergence of objects of the Vesta family and class V asteroids.
Researchers turn their gaze to such objects, because they can tell a lot about the time when the solar system was just forming. Vesta is an asteroid similar in composition to terrestrial planets. Most likely, its study will tell astronomers a lot about the distant past of our piece of the Galaxy.
Vesta in the horoscope is associated with the sign of Virgo, but she also has an affinity with the sign of Scorpio. In the original zodiac of the Assyrian culture, there was no Libra constellation: Virgo was followed by Scorpio, and what later became Libra were the claws of Scorpio.
Vesta in the horoscope
The symbols of Virgo and Scorpio are similar, only the sign of Virgo is directed inward, and Scorpio is directed outward. The Great Mother Goddess symbolized both Virgo's chastity and Scorpio's marriage at the same time. And only in patriarchal culture, the sign of Libra's marriage created an artificial separation of female roles (virginity before marriage and sexuality after). The discovery of Vesta shows the possibility of combining these two themes in one archetype.
In general, Vesta reflects the principle of sex as a means of spiritual service. However, in the modern psyche, it often presents a wide range of sexual difficulties resulting from the suppression of natural instincts.
Vesta in signs describes 12 styles of focusing, making commitments and what we must give up in order to fulfill our life purpose. She also describes the way sexual energy is dealt with: its freedom, sublimation or suppression.
Vesta in houses indicates an area of commitment or dedication to something, as well as an area of limitations (this once again emphasizes the connection of Vesta with the sign of Capricorn and allows us to consider her as its ruler. - Approx. Per.).
Vesta in the signs of the horoscope
Vesta in the sign Aries
People work with strong commitment. Motivation comes from within, and they work better on their own and with their own ideas. Kinks occur if a person is so involved in the whirlpool of his activity that he leaves no room for others to participate in it. Finding this place can lead to wonderful personal accomplishments.
Vesta in the sign Taurus
Better focusing of energy in a stable state. They are persistent and constant like rocks when they see tangible results of their efforts. Difficulties arise from their inflexibility. Sexuality is based on the natural release of natural instincts. If there is no sexual satisfaction, sexuality can be stressful. A pragmatic, albeit acceptable, approach to sexuality and comfort requires material justification.
Vesta in the sign Gemini
Concentration is facilitated by the spoken word and the information received. Good coordination. Alienation arises through excessive intellectualization and loss of the meaning of words. Mental exchange means a lot in sexual relationships. However, these people also tend to use words to create distance between themselves and others. The mind should not be allowed to dominate the emotions.
Vesta in Cancer
For an active business, a person must feel needed by others. A sympathetic connection with families and those who depend on them allows them to turn on the tap of the reservoir of working energy. Due to emotional hypersensitivity, it is possible to withdraw into oneself, which is caused by the desire to defend against real or imagined dangers from others.
Sexual satisfaction occurs when a person feels loved and cared for. And the feeling of their insecurity prompts the breakdown of the relationship. Emotional stability is essential for relationships.
Vesta in the sign Leo
A person works best when he is given creative freedom. The desire to be proud of your work is aimed at the desire to beautifully present the result. Since a radiance emanates from this personality, alienation can arise if its brilliance is<сжигать>others, as well as from her arrogance and arrogance. Romanticism and admiration awaken a sexy response. However, sexuality is held back if the energy of reproduction is directed only to one's own creative endeavors.
Vesta in the sign Virgo
Strong concentration in work. The incentive is to strive for improvement. The tendency to be overwhelmed and the habit of criticism removes from others. Sex is seen as a service to create the comfort of another or as a duty. The natural response may be hindered by the shortcomings of others. With the harmonization of this moment, a much greater efficiency in activity is achieved (Martin Luther).
Vesta in the sign of Libra
A person prefers to work with others more than on his own. He tries to attract others to work and to benefit from their contributions. But since Libras need to compare themselves to others, a strong moment of competition arises. The need to be recognized as an equal and reproaches about<взятого и отданного>- an important factor in sexual relationships.
However, since there is a need to be accepted and admired by him, a person is forced to put aside his own needs and desires. Striking the right balance between personal inclinations and the preferences of others is vital.
Vesta in the sign of Scorpio
Such people often seek depth and are careful in all undertakings. Sex is seen as the ultimate experience, despite all the social taboos. On the other hand, an individual may have feelings of guilt, sin, and shame that lead him to suppress sexuality. Strongest concentration and dedication are available.
Vesta in the sign Sagittarius
A person concentrates well when he works for something that he believes in. The ideal awakens his energy to work. Alienation arises if he promotes his view, regardless of the beliefs of others. Finding the truth or adventure stimulates sexual activity, and a lack of honesty can undermine relationships. These people can also turn sexual impulses into action. The confusion of these aspects forms the practical idealists and mystics who are traumatized by the material world.
Vesta in the sign Capricorn
It is best to work with discipline and consistency. Effort at work is often motivated by ambition or the drive to succeed. The ability to formulate and execute plans leads to success in administrative work. Adherence to rules and regulations can lead to being overly rigid. Responsibility is essential for the completeness of the sexual relationship.
There may be a fear of sexual intimacy or emotionality if associated with criticism or loss of power and control. Great strides can be made. These people are expected to succeed by paying off their debts.
Vesta in the sign Aquarius
It is best for a person to work for humanistic, social or political motivation: the ideal of freedom for himself and others. Alienation can occur due to insufficient attention to the needs of loved ones. There is often rebellion against power figures. Sexual response stimulates the unusual, and the person engages in sexual relations with friends on a non-profit and non-responsible basis.
Vesta in the sign of Pisces
The soul receives energy to work in service to others. It is difficult to find a point of application of one's strength due to the vague goals. Such a person can play the role of a martyr and make others feel guilty for his suffering. The ability to heal others through sexual interaction or the sublimation of sexuality into spiritual realization.
A person can feel that his sexuality belongs to everyone who needs it, and that no one alone has a right to it. Mixing dream and reality, in poetry and in practice.
Vesta in the houses of the horoscope
Vesta in the 1st house of the horoscope
Through a strong focus on self-determination or pursuing one's own goals, there may be a tendency to exclude long-term relationships from life. One-pointedness and abstinence can lead to significant gains. Loyalty to yourself.
Vesta in the II house of the horoscope
The ability to generate resources to provide and support yourself and your loved ones. There may be limitations in money, comfort and feelings in such a way that the created tension leads to the study of the art of self-manifestation (Catherine II - conjunction with Mars).
Vesta in the III house of the horoscope
The purpose of the advanced mind is to spread information among others. Communication restrictions may arise in order to clarify their own ideas. If a person is critical of himself, he may feel a sense of inferiority in his intellect. This situation is characterized by work with the intellect (Hermann Hesse, conjunction with the Moon in Pisces).
Vesta in the 4th house of the horoscope
Devotion to home and family. Often the added responsibility in the home in youth grows into responsibilities towards the family afterwards. Such a person may experience limitations in personal freedom due to these obligations. An efficient and qualified approach to household chores is required.
Vesta in the V house of the horoscope
A vocation for personal creative expression - in children or art forms. Alienation from children, romance and pleasure may be present. Due to the excessive sublimation of sexual energy, obstacles may arise in this area. There is a need for a creative profession or something that puts the person in the spotlight.
Vesta in the VI house of the horoscope
Devotion to work and efficient operation. Health problems can draw attention to self-medication, nutritional care, and exercise. The incentive to improve can lead to very good work.
Vesta in the VII house of the horoscope
A vocation to work in cooperation. But since Vesta craves self-fulfillment and independence, conflict can arise in cases where a compromise is required. Often a person is overly absorbed in interaction.
Vesta in the 8th house of the horoscope
A vocation for psychic and occult activities or deep interaction with others. It can also be difficult for such people to find someone to match their sexual intensity, and thus, they may feel limited in this area. Difficulties with others about the allocation of resources - money and energy - can lead to learning how to give up personal desires and share property.
Vesta in the IX house of the horoscope
A vocation to seek the truth. Over-focusing on a belief system can lead to political or religious fanaticism. Limiting the breadth of horizons. The ideal image must be found in the material world.
Vesta in the X house of the horoscope
Concentrating on a career or position in society. Closeness to the MC can indicate a spiritual calling. It can be difficult to find a satisfying destination and path if critical abilities are developed. Potential talents include tremendous discipline, thoroughness and the will to work hard.
Vesta in the XI house of the horoscope
Calling for group interaction. There may be limitations in friends or companies, and from this a person understands the value of others in his life. There is a need to merge hopes and desires together so that a person can devote himself to the ideal.
Vesta in the XII house of the horoscope
Dedication to selfless service and spiritual values. There is a strong subconscious need for isolation and withdrawal in order to develop deep faith. Persecution for religious beliefs or fear of past mistakes can lead to fear of entering into spiritual nature. There may be subconscious sexual fears and barriers that are overcome by combining the desire for the infinite with a practical assessment of the physical world and its limitations.
Aspects of Vesta horoscope
Aspects of the Sun - Vesta horoscope
Self-fulfillment, work, and a sense of duty are at the core of life goals. Harmonious aspects: high level of personal integration. Devotion to the ideal and seriousness of intentions. These people can live according to their defined sexual values and avoid having relationships (Carl Jung, Leo conjunction - the psychology of self-integration; Charles Dickens, in Aquarius, on IC).
Intense: Failure to find a satisfying career. Fear of intimacy and commitment. Mental anxiety and stress due to a sense of the futility of the chosen direction in life. Excessive self-absorption can lead to alienation from others. Solving the problem in the development of target focus and integration of the energy of the individual with her vision of the world.
Aspects of the Moon - Vesta horoscope
Concentration goes hand in hand with emotional responsibility. Harmonious aspects: fruitfulness, strong desire to take care of others. Understanding without words and emotional response. Free and open attitude towards sex. (Baudelaire is in Cancer, square to the Sun in Aries).
Intense: fear of intimacy and alienation from the emotional needs of others. An overly emotional look inside oneself. There may be infertility. The solution to the problem is to understand the essence of moral restrictions and sexual standards. Therapy can be used to help the individual release sexual and emotional energy.
Aspects of Mercury - Vesta horoscope
The need to focus on thoughts and in the process of communication. Restlessness in purposeful practical creativity. Harmonious aspects: highly developed intelligence, able to focus and direct their thoughts. An incentive to express ideas or devote oneself to teaching. Such a person can succeed in scientific research or as an agent, mediator, medium.
Intense: difficulties in communication - excessive accuracy in words, or, conversely, irresponsibility and vagueness. A crystalline mental look within yourself, the quirks of the intellect, or simply a focused study of a situation. Sometimes there can be sexual problems due to lack of communication with a partner. The solution to the problem is to clarify personal goals and thoughts and release unnecessary intellectual baggage. A clear mental process leads to clear communication.
Aspects of Venus - Vesta horoscope
Individual and independent attitude towards intimate relationships. Harmonious aspects: the ability to combine femininity with individual self-expression. A keen understanding of female psychology. Sublimation of sexual energy for the sake of art or a spiritual path.
Tense: Indicate a conflict between independence or work needs and relationship needs, leading to alienation from people. They can mean puritanism, psychological coldness or frigidity, or, conversely, a tendency to debauchery. The integration process makes it easier to develop your own sexual rules.
Aspects of Mars - Vesta horoscope
The ability of volitional concentration of energy. Harmonious aspects: ability to combine autonomy with intimate relationships, sensitivity and mastery in sexual expression. The ability to sublimate sexual energy into a fight for a cause is a spiritual warrior. (Harriet Beecher Stowe, conjunction in Scorpio - the fight against slavery)
Tense: Limitations in the expression of male energy that can lead to psychological coldness or impotence. Indecision in a responsible situation. Aggressiveness as compensation. The solution to the problem in the study of the management of energy, incentives and will, a clear presentation of the goal.
Aspects of Juno - Vesta horoscope
An evolutionary path that begins with human autonomy and ends with his reunification with the rest. Harmonious aspects: the ability to make serious commitments towards others. These individuals are committed to purifying and perfecting partnerships, which often take the form of a sexually charged spiritual union.
Tense: alienation from relationships or isolation within them. Sometimes sacrificing yourself to a partner or being overly involved in a relationship. Sexual domination and control as part of the interaction. Integration is an individual role within a responsible relationship.
Aspects of Jupiter - Vesta horoscope
Social assessment of your vocation. Harmonious Aspects: Purpose to Follow Truth and Knowledge. These individuals have the ability to synthesize large-scale pictures in detail. Sexual power can be sublimated in the realm of politics, teaching, or spiritual initiation.
Intense: The conflict between one's own philosophy and what serves the good of the wider whole. These people can believe that only their philosophy is valuable as truth, that is, they are the pillars of religion. Sometimes such a person seeks to surpass himself and therefore is unable to fulfill his promises. Another difficulty is the overemphasis on sexual power. The solution to the problem is to expand the goal to include social and cultural forms.
Aspects of Saturn - Vesta horoscope
Intense concentration and dedication. Harmonious aspects: self-discipline, seriousness of purpose and the ability to realize aspirations and hopes through hard work and dedication. Once realized, these aspirations are based on a solid and reliable foundation. Commitment to home and commitment. (Gauguin, conjunction in Pisces, in opposition to Ceres in Virgo, left his wife and five children to follow his artistic vocation in Polynesia. Nietzsche, in Aquarius, in the 2nd house).
Tense: conflict between personal needs and responsibilities to others. Seeking to avoid commitment or suffering under the weight of an overly burdensome responsibility. A high standard of excellence for yourself and others. Problems can stem from preoccupation with work, excessive ambition, or sexual constraints. Problem solving is about developing a harmonious approach to fulfilling your duty so that you experience personal joy and satisfaction from it.
Aspects of Uranus - Vesta horoscope
Original or universal impulses on which a personal calling is based. Harmonious Aspects: Mind concentrating on new or intuitive ideas. Scientific or occult research. Ability to devote oneself to new political, spiritual and religious views. Such people sometimes defend sexual freedom and the principle of non-possession in sexual relationships.
Intense: the conflict between focusing on action and striving for new things and change. This can lead to rebellion against commitment and anarchic behavior. In sexual behavior, there are deviations from traditional sexual and ethical codes. The solution to the problem is to devote oneself to innovations and reforms that would ensure constructive change in the old order, or the construction of functional structures of the new order. (Leonardo da Vinci, opposition).
Aspects of Neptune - Vesta horoscope
Devotion to spiritual or artistic ideals. Harmonious aspects: sexual union as a means of achieving the mystical unity of Neptune. A depth of compassion that can lead to a commitment to serving the world. Spiritual or artistic vocation (Salvador Dali,<фотограф снов>, many of which have a sexual interpretation - conjunction).
Intense: Diffusion of purpose and misunderstanding of commitment. Wrong perception of reality, which leads to unnecessary self-denial and self-sacrifice. Spiritual or sexual frustrations or avoiding work. The solution to the problem is to use the power of Vesta in order to effectively interact with physical reality and other dimensions (Goya, the spokesman for the reality of the unconscious, is the opposition).
Aspects of Pluto - Vesta horoscope
A sense of commitment to transforming society. Harmonious aspects: the ability to focus large amounts of energy in order to reach a different reality. Transformation of sexuality for regeneration, healing and enlightenment. This aspect can mean a call to use power in the service of spiritual or social ideals.
Tense: The conflict between the use of power for personal and impersonal ends. This can block the desire for power and release it in a destructive manner. Compulsive sexual urges, exaggerated fear of death, paranoia, and excessive self-preservation may occur. Feelings of isolation from society may also arise. The solution to the problem is to focus on constructive social change. (Hitler, semi-square).
Demeter George, astrologer
The second largest and brightest object in the main asteroid belt is called Vesta. If it were not for the most powerful collision in antiquity, Vesta would have been classified as a dwarf planet.
Discovery history
As in the situation with the discovery of all asteroids of the main belt, the history of the discovery of Vesta began with the search for the missing planet in orbit between Mars and Jupiter (which can be found in more detail in the article on the main asteroid belt). Vesta was first discovered by the German astronomer Heinrich Olbers in 1807. The name of the new object in the solar system, with Olbers' permission, was given by another German astronomer of that time - Karl Gauss. He chose the name Vesta, in honor of the ancient Roman goddess of home and home.
Asteroid characteristics
The generally accepted designation of asteroids assumes that the name of the object is preceded by its serial number, in the order of the discovery of asteroids. Vesta was the fourth open object in the main belt, therefore its designation is (4) Vesta. Vesta is the most massive asteroid in the main asteroid belt, accounting for 9% of the mass of the entire Main belt. But Vesta is inferior in size to (2) Pallas and the dwarf planet Ceres. The diameter of the asteroid is 560 km. At the same time, Vesta is the brightest object of the main asteroid belt, even brighter than Ceres, whose diameter is almost 2 times larger than Vesta. The surface of the asteroid is covered in basaltic rocks, similar to those that erupt from volcanoes on Earth. Such rocks have a higher light reflectance than the carbonaceous minerals that cover Ceres. Therefore, Vesta is brighter than Ceres and other asteroids of the main belt. Despite its small size, Vesta can be observed even with the naked eye on a dark night, far from artificial lighting.
The orbit of Vesta lies in the inner region of the main asteroid belt. The average distance from the Sun is 2.4 astronomical units. One revolution around the Sun takes 3.6 Earth years, and one revolution around its axis takes 5 hours and 20 minutes. The temperature on the surface of the asteroid ranges from -190 ° C in winter and can rise to -3 ° C in summer.
The shape of Vesta is close to spherical and would be so if two powerful collisions with other asteroids did not occur. It is believed that about 2 billion years ago, Vesta experienced the first collision. The crater formed from this impact is called Veneneya. Its diameter is about 400 km. A little less than a billion years later, Vesta experienced another, more powerful collision. The consequence was the impact crater Resilvia, with a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the asteroid itself - 500 km. The depth of the crater is 19 km, and in the center there is a peak 23 km high from the base of the crater. The impact was so strong that furrows formed at the equator of the asteroid due to the compression of the rock. Their length is 465 km, and the average width is about 10 km, in depth they can reach 5 km. (In the video below.)
So, if not for the impact craters that disfigured the appearance of the asteroid, today Vesta would be classified as a dwarf planet.
The collision of Vesta with another asteroid allowed scientists to study the inner composition of Vesta even before the Dawn spacecraft entered its orbit in 2011. The fact is that a large amount of debris was thrown into outer space from the impact. It is estimated that Vesta has lost about 1% of its volume. These debris subsequently fell on other bodies in the solar system and on the Earth in the form of meteorites. The study of the chemical composition of these meteorites allowed scientists to make the assumption that Vesta is a protoplanet (planetary embryo). Its internal chemical composition is similar to that of the Earth.
Young Vesta possessed a sufficient amount of internal heat, her bowels were melted as a result of the decay of heavy radioactive elements. In addition, a process of internal differentiation took place, when heavy elements move to the center of a celestial body, and lighter ones are displaced closer to the surface. The molten core of a young asteroid and further differentiation of the interior, allow us to speak about the planetary structure of Vesta.
Throughout the history of the solar system, asteroids with a metallic core have been destined to collapse due to collisions with other objects. As a result, many smaller bodies were formed. And only Vesta was fortunate enough to survive to this day in almost its original form. Thus, Vesta is the only representative of protoplanets that has survived to this day, from which such planets as Earth, Mars, Venus and Mercury were subsequently formed. Vesta is an excellent object for studying the processes that took place in the protoplanets of the young solar system.
Computer model made on the basis of images obtained from NASA's comic apparatus "Dawn". In the video:
1. Furrows of Divalia formed as a result of a collision with another cosmic body.
2. Crater Marcius, the largest crater in the series of "snowman" craters, 58 km in diameter.
3. Dome of Aricius, 5 km high and 39 km in diameter.
P.S. New space oddities were discovered by the tireless alien artifact seeker Joseph P. Skipper (Investigator). He and his numerous colleagues - virtual archaeologists - are looking for unusual objects, examining in detail the images from other planets and other celestial bodies posted on official websites. And they find it.
This time the attention of "archaeologists" was attracted by the asteroid Vesta - the second largest in the solar system. Its diameter is 550 kilometers. Almost a planet.
Vesta is located between Mars and Jupiter - in the asteroid belt. And according to one of the very popular hypotheses, this belt is the remains of the destroyed planet Phaethon. And on it - this is already on another hypothesis - once there was life. Perhaps even reasonable. That is, with local residents who have reached a high level of development. It seems that Skipper and his colleagues have found confirmation of this fantasy. They saw on Vesta the remains of two technical objects at once.
Near the asteroid is now the American robotic probe Dawn, which approached it on December 12, 2011. The probe is transmitting high-resolution images to Earth. NASA posts them on its official website (NASA Photojournal).
So, in one of the pictures, we managed to make out a disk, partially hidden under a layer of soil. And partially destroyed. The object is very similar to a crashed "flying saucer". In our presentation, of course, about "flying saucers".
The Dawn spacecraft received this image on July 17, 2011. It was about 15,000 kilometers (9,500 miles) from Vesta. Credit & Copyright: NASA / JPL-Caltech / UCLA / MPS / DLR / IDA.
Vesta is the second most massive object in the asteroid belt, second only to Ceres, which is classified as a dwarf planet. Vesta - the brightest asteroid in the sky - is sometimes visible from Earth with the naked eye. This is the first asteroid to be visited by a spacecraft. The Dawn mission showed us Vesta in 2011, providing new insights into this rocky world.
In 1596, having studied planetary orbits, Johannes Kepler came to the conclusion that a planet must exist in the region between Mars and Jupiter. The mathematical calculations of Johann Daniel Titius and Johann Elert Bode in 1772, later known as Titius-Bode's law, seemed to support this prediction. In August 1798, a group of astronomers began a search for this missing planet. Among the latter was the German astronomer Heinrich Olbers. Olbers discovered the second known asteroid at that time - Pallada. In his letter to astronomers, he outlined the theory of the origin of these asteroids.
“Perhaps Ceres and Pallas are just a couple of fragments ... of a once-larger planet that was once between Mars and Jupiter,” he wrote.
Olbers believed that the fragments of this planet would intersect at the point of destruction and on the opposite side of the orbit. He observed these two areas and discovered Vesta on March 29, 1807, becoming the first person to detect two asteroids.
This image of the giant asteroid West from the spacecraft Dawn shows numerous impact craters. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / UCLA / MPS / DLR / IDA. Vesta is unique among asteroids in that the light and dark areas on its surface are similar to those of the Moon. Ground-based observations showed that the asteroid has basaltic areas, which means that in the past, lava flowed along its surface. It has an irregular shape, about the same as that of a flattened spheroid.
When Vesta approached Earth in 1996, the Hubble Space Telescope displayed some of the object's topographic features. For example, a large crater at the south pole, which averages about 460 kilometers in diameter, while Vesta itself is only 530 kilometers across. The crater is about 13 kilometers deep and, most likely, it was formed due to a large collision in the early period of the asteroid's life. The material ejected from this collision resulted in a series of smaller vestoid asteroids that orbit their parent, as well as meteorites that crashed into Earth.
Unlike most asteroids, Vesta's structure is differentiated. Like planets, the asteroid has a chilled lava crust that covers its rocky mantle and a nickel-iron core. These properties are an argument in favor of the fact that Vesta should be considered a protoplanet and not an asteroid.
In fact, if not for Jupiter, Vesta would have a good chance of becoming a planet.
“The speeds in the asteroid belt were really high, and the higher the speed, the more difficult it is for planetesimals to combine,” said David O'Brien, an associate at the Tucson, Arizona Institute.
In 1960, a fireball that swept in the sky over Australia, as it turned out later, was part of Vesta. Composed almost entirely of pyroxene, the meteorite has the same spectral characteristics as Vesta.
In October 2010, the Hubble Space Telescope focused again on West. The data obtained showed that the tilt of the asteroid is about four degrees greater than the researchers previously thought. This data helped NASA place the Dawn spacecraft in polar orbit around the asteroid.
The Dawn spacecraft, which has been studying the asteroid since 2012, found that the rocky body has a surprisingly large amount of hydrogen on its surface. He also discovered bright reflective areas that may have appeared after his birth.
“Our analysis showed that this vibrant material has not undergone significant changes since the formation of Vesta - more than 4 billion years ago,” said Jian-Yang Li.
At the south pole of Vesta there is a huge mountain that reaches an altitude of over 20 kilometers (65,000 feet), making it almost as tall as Mount Olympus on Mars. Olympus is the largest mountain (and volcano) in the solar system. It rises 24 kilometers (15 mi) above the surface of Mars.
In addition, astronomers believe that liquid water existed on the asteroid. Images from the Dawn spacecraft captured curved ravines and fan-shaped deposits in eight different Vesta craters. All eight craters are believed to have formed in the past several hundred million years, which is relatively recent for an asteroid 4.5 billion years old.
“No one expected to find evidence of water on West, because its surface is very cold and it has no atmosphere, which would quickly evaporate any water on its surface,” said Jennifer Scully, a graduate student at University of Los Angeles.
Dawn also found signs of hydrated minerals (materials containing water molecules) on Vesta's surface, which could also hint at the presence of subsurface ice.
>> Vesta
Vesta- a large asteroid of the belt between Mars and Jupiter: size, mass, detection, the role of Kepler, Bode and Olbers, surface, composition, study with a photo.
Vesta ranks second in massiveness in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, behind Ceres (belongs to the class of dwarf planets). This is the brightest asteroid, so sometimes it can be found without the use of magnifying devices. In 2011, Vesta was found by the Dawn apparatus.
Sky Police and Asteroid Vesta
In 1596, Johannes Kepler calculated the elliptical shape of planetary orbits and found that there must be another planet between Mars and Jupiter. In 1772, mathematical calculations from Johann Bode were published, supporting these conclusions. Interestingly, in 1789, several scientists created a group called "Sky Police", which is looking for the missing planet. Among them was Heinrich Olbers, who managed to find the asteroid Pallas. In describing his theory, he indicated that Ceres and Pallas are capable of acting as fragments from a previously large planet. View the photo of the asteroid Vesta below.
Olbers believed that these fragments should intersect at the point of explosion and on the orbital path. He observed these points and on March 29, 1807 noticed West. He became the first person to find two asteroids. The scientist sent his notes to Karl Gaus, who determined the orbit of Pallas in 10 hours.
Physical characteristics of asteroid Vesta
Vesta is considered a unique asteroid representative because of its dark and bright spots, reminiscent of the lunar surface. There are basalt areas, which means that lava previously flowed through them. The object has an irregular shape (flattened). Interestingly, the asteroid Vesta has a nearly circular orbit. Below are the specifications for size and rotation.
- Diameter: 530 km.
- Massiveness: 2.67 × 10 20 kg.
- Temperature mark: -188 ° C to -18 ° C.
- Albedo: 0.4322.
- Rotation period: 5.342 hours.
- Orbital period: 3.63 years
- Aphelios: 2.57 AU
- Perihelion: 2.15 AU
- The closest approach to the Earth: 1.14 AU
Surface, composition and formation of asteroid Vesta
In 1996, Vesta approached Earth, and the Hubble Space Telescope was able to capture its topographic surface layer along with the formations in the photo. A large crater appeared on the territory of the South Pole with a diameter of 460 km (Vesta extends only 530 km). The crater goes 13 km deep and appeared, most likely, during an ancient impact. The push ripped out material, which was thrown into orbit and revolved around the asteroid.
Unlike other asteroids, the interior of Vesta is differentiated. That is, there is a chilled lava crust, a rocky mantle and an iron-nickel core. This speaks in favor of the fact that we have a protoplanet.
The nucleus developed in the first 10 million years after the formation of the system. The basaltic crust also developed rapidly. Volcanic eruptions flowed from the mantle for 8-60 hours. Lava flows could spread over kilometers with a thickness of 5-20 m.
In 1960, a piece of Vesta flew over Australia. The shard consisted entirely of pyroxene (found in lava flows) and carried the spectral signals of Vesta. In 2012, the Dawn spacecraft flew to the asteroid. A huge amount of hydrogen was recorded on the surface. Also found bright areas with high reflectivity. It is believed to have been created over 4 billion years ago.
Visitors from the asteroid Vesta
Vesta has a unique composition, so its meteorites are easy to identify. These are HED objects, represented by eucrites (solidified lava), diogenites (from below the surface) and howardites (a mixture of both). More details are shown on the map of the asteroid Vesta.
If Vesta's orbit is beyond Mars, how did the debris reach Earth? Meteorites pass by Jupiter in three orbital flights around the Sun and feel the giant's pull.
Exploring the asteroid Vesta
In 2007, NASA launched the Dawn mission to visit Vesta and Ceres. This is a unique device, as it first traveled in two asteroid orbits at once. He arrived at Vesta in 2011, and at Ceres in 2015.
Dawn's task is to study the characteristics of the early system by analyzing two different asteroids. Ceres is humid, with seasonal polar caps and is capable of having a thin atmospheric layer. Vesta is dry and rocky.
They are more like protoplanets in size, but Jupiter's gravity stopped their formation. In October 2010, the Hubble telescope again displayed Vesta in the photo. The new data showed that the tilt of the axis was 4 degrees higher than earlier assumptions.
