Dawn of Ceres

3D Model

Model of Ceres made using only imagery that was obtained by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft. Because this is done with photogrammetry, it shows (with good accuracy) what Ceres would actually look like if you were to fly past it.

The Dawn spacecraft is in a high orbit around Ceres and has had harsh setbacks lately. Even with those setbacks, it was able to maneuver itself directly between the Sun and the Dwarf Planet with near perfection. The position it’s in now is called “opposition.” From it’s new vantage-point, it’ll see the surface fully illuminated.

Great thanks to The Planetary Society for turning on the light-buld that this is possible with their tweet which features the gif within this article.

Why do this? Because it’s possible. :)

I’ll be updating the model as I refine and improve it with added imagery as it comes in.