QueSPER Research Projects

Planets in the Solar System

Dwarf Planets

Ceres

Ceres

Image of the Asteroid Belt
 

A view of the Asteroid Belt. The large spherical body is Ceres, by far the largest of the asteroids, but the Belt contains hundreds of thousands of smaller, less regular bodies.

Fisher, Mark. "Asteroid Belt." The Electronic Sky. (11/27/06)  http://www.glyphweb.com/esky/default.htm

 Ceres Printout

Ceres was discovered in 1801 and was considered a planet until other asteroids were discovered. Now Ceres is considered a dwarf planet.

bullet

How far is Ceres from the Sun?
bullet

Ceres is an average of 257 million miles from the sun.

bullet

Ceres is  413.6 million kilometers from the sun.

bullet

Ceres is the largest object in the the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

 

bullet

How big is Ceres? (What is its diameter?)
bullet

Ceres is very small.

bullet

Ceres's diameter is 602 miles or 968.8 kilometers. It is about 1/3 the size of Pluto.

 

bullet

What is Ceres like?
bullet

Scientists thought it was a new planet when it was discovered in 1801.

bullet

Ceres was demoted to a minor planet (dwarf planet) when other asteroids were found.

bullet

Ceres is made of rock and ice.

bullet

Ceres is an asteroid.

 
bullet

Why is this dwarf planet named Ceres?
bullet

Ceres is named for the Roman goddess of agriculture.

 

bulletCan we see Ceres in the night sky?
bullet 

*One AU is the distance from the center of the Earth to the center of the Sun.

Information on this page was taken from the following websites:

The-Solar-System.Net

Links to Other Sites

bullet Astronomy for Kids

Books and References

bullet
Time for Kids Almanac 2003 with Information Please. NY: Time for Kids Books, 2002. RL 4.5 Dewey 031.02
bullet
Farndon, John. The Giant Book of Space. Brookfield,CT: Copper Beech Bks, 2000. RL 4.5 Dewey 523.4

"The Solar System 12/2006: 8 Planets; The New Cosmic Order." Map Insert. National Geographic Magazine.  Dec., 2006.

Other Links to Sites

The Nine Planets

to QueSPER Online

Updated 08/22/09    /    The QueSPER website is maintained by Carol J. Fox;   Teacher-Librarian   /   Visitor NumberHit Counter since 03/23/07  /   © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009   All rights reserved   /    Email: caroljfox@sbcglobal.net     /   Use and Connection Policies     Home