Ceres's surface may have high levels of organic compounds

Organics could have originated within the dwarf planet or have been delivered by comets and
asteroids.


By Laurel Kornfeld | Jun 18, 2018

A new analysis of data returned by NASA's Dawn spacecraft suggests Ceres's surface contains a significantly higher level of organic compounds than mission scientists initially thought.

Dawn's Visible and Infrared Spectrometer (VIR) discovered organic materials on Ceres by analyzing the wavelengths of sunlight the dwarf planet reflects and absorbs. Specifically, it detected a signal associated with organic molecules on Ceres's northern hemisphere, in the region around Ernutet Crater.

While organic molecules are the building blocks for life, their presence is not sufficient to indicate whether life, past or present existed on the dwarf planet. Organics can be produced by both biological and geological processes.

However, organic compounds, as well as water, must be present for life to exist anywhere. The fact that Ceres has both organic compounds and is rich in water ice means makes it an enticing place for further study.

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