PIA14893: Ejecta Blanket on Vesta
 Target Name:  Vesta
 Is a satellite of:  Sol (our sun)
 Mission:  Dawn
 Spacecraft:  Dawn
 Instrument:  Framing Camera
 Product Size:  670 x 669 pixels (w x h)
 Produced By:  JPL
 Full-Res TIFF:  PIA14893.tif (448.9 kB)
 Full-Res JPEG:  PIA14893.jpg (68.15 kB)


Original Caption Released with Image:

This detail of a Dawn FC (framing camera) image shows an ejecta blanket mantling (e.g. covering) the surface and obscuring older caters. The bright crater rim, which can be seen in the middle right edge of this image, is one of a group of craters which are the source of this ejecta blanket. Ejecta blankets are identified as generally smooth areas that consist of debris ejected as craters are formed by impacts. Towards the left side of this image the ejecta blanket begins to die out and older craters, which are not as obscured by the ejecta blanket, become visible. Ejecta blankets can be rather challenging to detect in lower resolution images, so this higher resolution image, as well as those currently being obtained from Dawn's High Altitude Mapping Orbit (HAMO), will be very helpful in recognizing ejecta blankets. The cluster of small craters, in roughly the center of the image, is due to secondary impacts which are formed by large blocks ejected during the main ejecta forming impact.

NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtained this image with its framing camera on September 20th 2011. This image was taken through the camera's clear filter. The distance to the surface of Vesta is 670km and the image resolution is about 63 meters per pixel.



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