6 May
2011
6 May
'11
7:47 p.m.
The Dawn spacecraft is approaching asteroid 4 Vesta and recently took an initial picture (just a couple of exposed pixels). The VIR camera will be tested on May 10. This will lead up to a July 2011 arrival. Measurements will determine whether Vesta should be upgraded to dwarf planet status. Vesta, with an ephemeris magnitude of 7.2, is currently 2 degrees celestial east of theta Cap and best seen about 4 to 5am at the south-east-east SLC local horizon at about 20 degs altitude. JPL Vesta Blog http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/news/dawn20110503.html NASA Dawn Vesta Page http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/main/index.html NASA Press Release http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/news/dawn20110503.html Clear Skies - Kurt