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Recent investigations have revealed that Ceres, the largest dwarf planet situated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, may have harbored a subsurface ocean comprised of muddy water. This intriguing hypothesis arises from sophisticated computational models that suggest Ceres’ outer layer is largely made up of a frozen ocean laden with various impurities.
Surface Features Indicating Ice Presence
With a diameter of 588 miles (946 kilometers), Ceres exhibits an array of geological features including pits, domes, and landslides, which collectively suggest the existence of considerable quantities of ice beneath its surface layer. Ian Pamerleau, a doctoral student at Purdue University, highlighted that spectroscopic analyses have indicated ice hiding beneath the planet’s dusty regolith. In addition, the gravitational measurements of Ceres suggest a density that aligns with that of impure ice. However, many experts in planetary science remained skeptical after the extensive data gathered by NASA’s Dawn mission from 2015 to 2018.
Observations from NASA’s Dawn Mission
A notable observation from the Dawn mission was the substantial number of craters with steep walls, which usually signify a relatively dry environment. In contrast, moons such as Europa and Ganymede—known for their icy compositions—feature fewer prominent craters since ice can deform over time, diminishing the craters’ visibility. The abundance of deep craters on Ceres led researchers to initially question the level of ice present in its crust.
Simulations to Understand Crater Behaviour
To further investigate this conundrum, Pamerleau collaborated with his Ph.D. advisor Mike Sori and NASA’s Jennifer Scully to run simulations modeling the evolutionary trajectory of Ceres’ craters over billions of years, accounting for different mixtures of ice, dust, and rock. Their results indicated that if Ceres’ crust contained around 90% ice, it would lack the structural stability required for significant geological flow, thereby aiding the preservation of its craters.
The Implications of Ceres’ Oceanic Past
Mike Sori posited that Ceres may have once resembled an oceanic body akin to Europa, albeit with a “dirty, muddy ocean.” As this ocean eventually froze, it would have created an icy shell that encapsulated rocky materials. A key area of ongoing research focuses on the duration for which this ocean likely existed, as warmth generated from radioactive isotopes might have sustained its liquid nature long after Ceres had cooled.
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