When the Dawn spacecraft explored the largest asteroid Ceres, it discovered white spots that appear to be salt and volcanic mountains made of water ice. This led astronomers to which of the following ideas:
A) all asteroids are made of frozen water
B) Ceres is really one of the terrestrial planets that got kicked out of its former orbit
C) Ceres may have (or may have had) a liquid ocean under its crust
D) Ceres formed from the breakup of a much larger body, a solid planet bigger than Jupiter
E) The next thing to search for on Ceres are spots made of pepper
Section 13.2: Asteroids and Planetary Defense

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discovery of white spots that are likely salt and volcanic mountains made of water ice suggest that Ceres may have (or may have had) a liquid ocean under its crust, making C the best choice. Options A, B, and D are not supported by the discoveries on Ceres. Option E is a humorous distractor.

When the Dawn Spacecraft Explored the Largest Asteroid Ceres, It