| Abstract |
The Dawn Mission arrived at its first target and currently orbits 4 Vesta. The images corroborate the existence of an impact structure at the south pole, big enough to excavate and eject the Vestoids (Vesta Family). Spectrophotometry of the surface confirms the compositional relation to the HED (Howardites-Eurcrites-Diogenite) meteorites.
Measurements of the higher moments of the gravitational field reveal the formation of a substantial iron core. The findings are consistent with Vesta's accretion into a differentiated protoplanet at the beginning of the solar system formation (HED age determination). |
