Model of Ceres’ shell-shaped structure

Model of Ceres’ shell-shaped structure
Model of Ceres’ shell-shaped structure
On the basis of topographic data and gravitational field measurements obtained during the Dawn mission, scientists currently believe that this model represents best the inner structure of the dwarf planet Ceres. Most of Ceres’ interior consists of a rocky mantle made up mainly of hydrated minerals. The 40-kilometre-thick crust consists of a mixture of ice, salts and hydrated minerals. Between these two layers there could be a layer of brine and mud, which reaches down to a depth of 100 kilometres. It is not known whether there is a metal core in the centre of Ceres.
Credit:

NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA.

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