What is Ceres?

Ceres is a dwarf planet and the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It was the first asteroid to be discovered, and was initially classified as a planet in the 1800s before being reclassified as an asteroid and later as a dwarf planet.

Characteristics of Ceres

• Ceres has a diameter of about 940 kilometers, making it the largest object in the asteroid belt.
• It is composed of rock and ice, and is spherical in shape, meeting the criteria for being classified as a dwarf planet.
• Ceres is also the only dwarf planet in the inner solar system.

Discovery and Exploration

Ceres was discovered by Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi in 1801. It was initially classified as the eighth planet, but later reclassified as an asteroid due to the discovery of similar objects in the same region of space. In 2015, NASA's Dawn spacecraft entered orbit around Ceres, providing detailed images and data about the dwarf planet's surface and composition.

Study Guide for Ceres

If you're studying Ceres, here are some key points to focus on:

1. Understand the location of Ceres in the solar system, including its position in the asteroid belt.
2. Learn about the physical characteristics of Ceres, including its size, composition, and shape.
3. Explore the history of Ceres' discovery and its reclassification from a planet to an asteroid and then to a dwarf planet.
4. Examine the findings from the Dawn spacecraft's exploration of Ceres, including the surface features and composition of the dwarf planet.

Additionally, you may want to research the potential for future exploration and study of Ceres, including the possibility of sending additional spacecraft to gather more data about this intriguing dwarf planet.