NASA's Dawn spacecraft is now fast approaching the dwarf planet Ceres found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

It's captured images from thousands of miles away that reveal two eerie bright spots on the protoplanet's surface that are baffling scientists.

The bright spots were first identified when Dawn was more than 10 times its current distance from Ceres. Experts apparently have no idea what they've just observed.

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At a resolution of 27 pixels, this can vaguely describe anything on the surface as scientists can only make out impact craters and their shadows.

According to Andreas Nathues, the lead investigator at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany, the brightest spot is still apparently too small to resolve with the spacecraft's camera even if it's the brightest object on the surface of Ceres, which is truly unexpected.

After the spacecraft accomplished a full rotation of the dwarf planet, it also revealed another bright spot located in the vicinity of the first bright spot, according to principal investigator of the Dawn mission, Chris Russell. This dimmer spot also adds to the mystery.

Russell adds the original bright spot appears to have another companion that's less bright but located in the same basin. This can lead to clues about the origins of volcanic activity but a better resolution from the camera can make more sense for further geologic interpretations.

These intriguing bright spots can help NASA and the Dawn team determine the trajectory and position of the probe so they get a closer and better glimpse of Ceres during its pivotal flyby.

According to Marc Rayman, chief engineer and mission director of the Dawn mission, the Dawn spacecraft is truly now on the verge of unveiling this mysterious alien planet that can also provide clues as to how the solar system was formed.

TagsMysterious, Bright Lights on Dwarf Planet Ceres Baffle Scientists, NASA, Dawn Spacecraft, ceres dwarf planet, bright lights spots ceres mysterious dawn planet