description 4 Vesta Overview
Between Mars and Jupiter, 4 Vesta is the second-most massive body in the main asteroid belt after Ceres. Its V-type classification reflects a basaltic surface, connecting it to processes that altered early rocky bodies. NASA's Dawn spacecraft studied Vesta from orbit, providing evidence about its geology and its place in the history of planetary formation. Vesta has long been described as differentiated into crust, mantle and core, but its interior remains under investigation.
A later analysis of Dawn data suggested a more uniform structure with a very small iron core or possibly none. It therefore suits discussion of how scientific models change as evidence is reexamined, alongside its value for studying protoplanets.
help 4 Vesta FAQ
Has a spacecraft ever visited asteroid Vesta?
Yes, NASA's Dawn spacecraft orbited Vesta from July 2011 to September 2012, capturing detailed images and compositional data of the asteroid's surface. Dawn then traveled to the dwarf planet Ceres, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit two different extraterrestrial bodies. The mission revealed Vesta's massive Rheasilvia impact crater near its south pole.
How big is 4 Vesta?
4 Vesta has a mean diameter of approximately 525 kilometers, making it the second-most massive body in the main asteroid belt after Ceres. It accounts for roughly 9% of the total mass of the asteroid belt. Vesta is large enough to have a differentiated internal structure with a crust, mantle, and iron core.
Are there meteorites from Vesta on Earth?
Yes, a class of meteorites known as HED meteorites (howardites, eucrites, and diogenites) are believed to originate from Vesta, as their spectral signatures match the asteroid's surface composition. The massive impact that created Vesta's Rheasilvia crater ejected debris that eventually reached Earth. Over a thousand HED meteorites have been cataloged.
When was asteroid Vesta discovered?
Vesta was discovered on March 29, 1807, by German astronomer Heinrich Olbers. It was the fourth asteroid ever identified, following Ceres (1801), Pallas (1802), and Juno (1804). Vesta is occasionally bright enough to be visible to the naked eye from Earth under dark skies, which is unusual for an asteroid.
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