Dwarf planets
Latest about Dwarf planets
![New work suggests that dwarf planet Ceres' biggest mountain, Ahuna Mons, may have formed after a muddy slurry erupted. This image shows a side view of Ahuna Mons, which is 2.5 miles tall and 10.5 miles wide (4 by 17 kilometers). Ahuna Mons has a dome shape that resembles that of mountains created on Earth by volcanism. However, unlike volcanoes on Earth, Ahuna Mons was created by a volcano spewing cold, molten ice rather than hot, liquid rock.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cv8sRXMNaMoq2xxVEzagag-320-80.png)
A Weird Mud Plume May Have Built the Highest Peak on Dwarf Planet Ceres
By Charles Q. Choi published
![An artist's impression of the dwarf planet Haumea and its ring by citizen scientist Kevin Gill, based on measurements by J.L. Ortiz et al.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MRVLZuyEbPVgDBLiN5GJ5B-320-80.jpg)
Scientists Reveal New Details of Dwarf Planet Haumea's Elusive Ring
By Hanneke Weitering published
Haumea's ring is too faint to be seen from planet Earth, so astronomers have turned to context clues to find out more about these particles.
![Cerealia Facula on Ceres](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sVmL2Lq3njQRjZCaeAX2ik-320-80.jpg)
Dwarf Planet Ceres Hosted Near-Surface Water for Millions of Years
By Mike Wall published
Some parts of the dwarf planet Ceres harbored pockets of near-surface water for millions of years in the recent past, a new study suggests.
![Ceres](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fMsE3ciHvTfvKksb4vEDKF-320-80.jpg)
Now That Dawn Is History, Should NASA Send Another Mission to Ceres?
By Hanneke Weitering published
Nearly three years since NASA's Dawn mission arrived at Ceres, the spacecraft has run out of fuel. Is it time to start thinking about sending another mission to the dwarf planet?
![This view of Ceres from NASA's Dawn spacecraft shows what the dwarf planet would look like to the human eye. A new study suggests the rocky world's surface has wobbled in the past.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9fCkxVXS7WMPUTXbuss5dS-320-80.jpg)
Dwarf Planet Ceres Got an Epic Makeover from Wobbly Surface
By Charles Q. Choi published
The wobbly surface of dwarf planet Ceres has shifted over the years, resulting an epic makeover of ridges and cracks, scientists say.
![Ceres Ahuna Mons](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KFw7Y7e6ubJHg4wH34nqoX-320-80.jpg)
Giant Ice Volcanoes Once Covered Dwarf Planet Ceres
By Charles Q. Choi published
Dozens of ancient ice volcanoes once dotted the surface of the dwarf planet Ceres, a new study finds.
![Cerealia Facula on Ceres](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y9AdmV3iV5S6eZX9ubzsVH-320-80.jpg)
Dwarf Planet Ceres' Bizarre Bright Spots Shine in Stunning Up-Close View
By Mike Wall published
You may have seen the bizarre bright spots speckling the dwarf planet Ceres — but not like this.
![Occator Crater floor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BcD8usKHYerH3h7AFkP3ZC-320-80.jpg)
Weird Bright Spots on Ceres Get a Close-Up from Dawn As Mission Nears End
By Mike Wall published
NASA's Dawn spacecraft has gotten its best-ever looks at the weird bright spots that speckle the dwarf planet Ceres.
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