A celestial body orbiting between Mars and Jupiter; previously defined as an asteroid; now officially known as a dwarf planet; officially called 1 Ceres
Largest known asteroid in the solar system and the first discovered, in 1801. Named after the Roman goddess Ceres, it revolves around the Sun in 4.6 Earth years and is about 575 mi (925 km) across. In Roman religion, the goddess of the growth of food plants, sometimes worshiped in association with the earth goddess Tellus. Her cult was overlaid by that of Demeter, who was worshiped in Greece and Sicily. According to tradition, her cult was introduced into Rome in 496 BC to check a famine. Her temple on Aventine Hill was known as a centre of plebeian religious and political activities and for its artwork
A celestial body orbitting between Mars and Jupiter; previously defined as an asteroid; now officially known as a dwarf planet; officially called 1 Ceres