Physical Characteristics
Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The mass of Ceres has been determined by analysis of the influence it exerts on smaller asteroids. Results differ slightly between researchers. The average of the three most precise values as of 2008 is 9.4×1020 kg. With this mass Ceres comprises about a third of the estimated total 3.0 ± 0.2×1021 kg mass of the asteroid belt, which is in turn about 4% of the mass of the Moon. The surface area is approximately equal to the land area of India or Argentina. The mass of Ceres is sufficient to give it a nearly spherical shape in hydrostatic equilibrium. In contrast, other large asteroids such as 2 Pallas, 3 Juno, and in particular 10 Hygiea are known to be somewhat irregular in shape.
Read more about this topic: Ceres (dwarf Planet)
Famous quotes containing the word physical:
“The vanity of the sciences. Physical science will not console me for the ignorance of morality in the time of affliction. But the science of ethics will always console me for the ignorance of the physical sciences.”
—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)