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1 Ceres Trivia Quiz

A quiz on the dwarf planet Ceres (formal name 1 Ceres).

A multiple-choice quiz by jonthomas. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
jonthomas

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
351,540

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
317

Last 3 plays: Guest 213 (2/10), PHILVV (10/10), Guest 172 (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Ceres was classified as a planet upon discovery in 1801, then reclassified as what in 1802 before finally being reclassified once again in 2006 as a dwarf planet? Hint

asteroid

star

comet

moon

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Question 2 of 10

2. One could say that Ceres is the "Australia of outer space" because as of 2006, it is classed as not only a dwarf planet and asteroid, but also as what? Hint

probable proto-planet

moon

cubewano

plutoid

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Compared to all other objects in the Asteroid Belt, approximately what percent of the mass does Ceres take up? Hint

98%

33%

Not even 1%

50%

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Besides being the only dwarf planet in the Asteroid Belt, what distinguishes Ceres from the other dwarf planets? Hint

Its orbit is the least inclined of the others

It has an astronomical symbol

It has no known moons

It shares its orbital dominance

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Question 5 of 10

5. Beneath its crust, Ceres's mantle is thought to be composed of 100 kilometers of what? Hint

Dirt-like substances

Various metals

Water ice

Solidifed carbon

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Ceres is the name of the Roman goddess of agriculture. Who was her Greek counterpart? Hint

Demeter

Hestia

Poseidon

Athena

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Question 7 of 10

7. Like Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus have elements named after them, (Plutonium, neptunium, and uranium) does Ceres have an element named after it?

Yes

8. When it was first found by Giuseppe Piazzi in 1801, Ceres was named Cerere Ferdinandea, the Italian version of Ceres followed by the name of King Ferdinand. However, the latter word was quickly removed a few weeks later. Why? Hint

King Ferdinand himself did not like it

Piazzi's family told him to

King Ferdinand died shortly after

Other nations did not accept it

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Is Ceres ever visible to the naked eye? Hint

Never, it is too small

Never, it is always behind Mars

Easily on most nights

Only under very dark skies

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In September 27, 2007, a space probe was launched that is planned to go to Ceres. What is the name of this space probe?

Answer: (One Word)

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Oct 31 2024 : Guest 213: 2/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Ceres was classified as a planet upon discovery in 1801, then reclassified as what in 1802 before finally being reclassified once again in 2006 as a dwarf planet?

Answer: asteroid

When discovered, it was called a planet along with the other three largest asteroids. However, astronomers noticed many of these objects past Mars, so they decided to make an entirely new designation for these bodies. William Herschel coined the term "asteroid" meaning "starlike".

In 2006, when the IAU (International Astronomical Union) decided to finally define a planet, Ceres fit the definition of a dwarf planet. This means that it directly orbits the Sun, it has enough mass to round itself under its own gravity, and it is not dominant in its orbit.

2. One could say that Ceres is the "Australia of outer space" because as of 2006, it is classed as not only a dwarf planet and asteroid, but also as what?

Answer: probable proto-planet

Ceres is indeed a body of many classifications. A plutoid is a dwarf planet in 3:2 resonance with Neptune, meaning for every 3 Neptunian years, the plutoid will have 2 of its years. A cubewano is a fancy name for a classic Kuiper Belt object, meaning its orbit is not affected by Neptune.

3. Compared to all other objects in the Asteroid Belt, approximately what percent of the mass does Ceres take up?

Answer: 33%

To give you an idea of how massive Ceres is compared to other bodies in the Asteroid Belt, the second largest object, Vesta, takes up a mere 9% of the total mass.

4. Besides being the only dwarf planet in the Asteroid Belt, what distinguishes Ceres from the other dwarf planets?

Answer: Its orbit is the least inclined of the others

The other dwarf planets' orbits are angled quite vertically compared to Ceres's. Pluto is the other dwarf planet to have an astronomical symbol, Eris also had a proposed symbol. Makemake is the only other dwarf planet not to have any known moons. Lastly, if it did not share orbital dominance, it would not be a dwarf planet at all!

5. Beneath its crust, Ceres's mantle is thought to be composed of 100 kilometers of what?

Answer: Water ice

Despite being not even being a quarter of the size of our moon, if astronomers are correct about Ceres having a frozen water mantle, this would equal more water than that which is on Earth!

6. Ceres is the name of the Roman goddess of agriculture. Who was her Greek counterpart?

Answer: Demeter

Demeter was not only goddess of the harvest, but of the cycle of life and death, too. She also watched over the sacred law and marriage.

7. Like Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus have elements named after them, (Plutonium, neptunium, and uranium) does Ceres have an element named after it?

Answer: Yes

Found in 1803, two years after Ceres's discovery, the element was named cerium. Pallas and Vesta also had elements named after them.

Answer: Other nations did not accept it

Piazzi tried to honor King Ferdinand with the name, however, he was only king of Sicily. Other nations stated that this was "unacceptable" and it became simply "Ceres".

9. Is Ceres ever visible to the naked eye?

Answer: Only under very dark skies

Ceres has an apparent magnitude of 6.7, which is debated to be the limit of what the naked eye can see. Unless far away from the lights of the city, Ceres is nearly impossible to see.

10. In September 27, 2007, a space probe was launched that is planned to go to Ceres. What is the name of this space probe?

Answer: Dawn

Dawn will be the first space probe to explore two different celestial bodies using ion thrusters. It will spend almost a year studying Ceres, getting closer and closer as the months go on.

Source: Author jonthomas

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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