Asteroid Vesta is the second-largest object in the asteroid belt, after Ceres. It is believed to be a remnant protoplanet, or a planetary embryo that never fully formed into a planet. Vesta is unique because it has a differentiated interior, with a rocky crust, mantle, and core. Research on asteroid Vesta aims to understand its composition, structure, and history, which can provide insights into the formation and evolution of the early solar system. Studies of Vesta's surface features, such as impact craters, ridges, and grooves, can also help scientists learn more about the processes that have shaped asteroids over billions of years. In 2011, NASA's Dawn spacecraft orbited and studied Vesta, providing detailed images and data that have enhanced our understanding of this asteroid. Ongoing research continues to analyze the wealth of information gathered by Dawn and further explore the scientific significance of Vesta in the context of the solar system's formation.