Giant asteroid Vesta 'resembles planet'

The giant asteroid Vesta possesses many features usually associated with rocky planets like Earth, according to data from a Nasa probe.

Vesta has been viewed as a massive asteroid, but after studying the surface in detail, scientists are describing it as "transitional".

The Dawn spacecraft has been orbiting Vesta - one of the Solar System's most primitive objects - since July 2011.

They have documented many unexpected features on its battered surface.


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