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Ceres

The largest known asteroid, Ceres is less than 600 miles (975 km) in diameter, and orbits roughly 260 million miles (420 million km) from the Sun. Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered Ceres in 1801. Since it was the first asteroid ever discovered, it also carries the designation “1 Ceres.” In 2006, astronomers also classified Ceres as a dwarf planet.

Resources

Asteroid

Asteroids February 19, 2016

Radio Programs

Ceres Discovery from a hole in the ground October 26, 2021

Hospitable Ceres? A surprisingly hospitable asteroid September 29, 2017

Ceres Watery features on a giant asteroid May 2, 2017

Featured Images

Dawn view of Ceres

A Planet That Never Was May 27, 2019
True-color view of Ceres

Ceres at Opposition February 1, 2018
The layered structure of Ceres

Icy Layers May 2, 2017
Dawn image of bright deposits on Ceres

Salty Ceres April 11, 2016
Dawn images of north pole of Ceres

Over the Top April 17, 2015
A full rotation of Ceres as seen by the Dawn mission

Final Approach March 3, 2015
Dawn image of mysterious bright spots on Ceres, February 19, 2015

Bright Mysteries February 26, 2015
Dawn image of Ceres, January 25, 2015

Getting Closer January 28, 2015
Three dwarf planets shown to scale with Earth and Moon

Dwarf Planets January 5, 2015