Ceres (dwarf planet)

Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, classified as a dwarf planet due to its round shape caused by self-gravity. It measures about 940 kilometers (580 miles) across and contains a mix of rock and ice, suggesting a composition that includes water and possibly other volatiles. Ceres has a thin atmosphere, surface features like craters and possible cryovolcanoes, and shows evidence of past water activity. It was first discovered in 1801 and reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006, highlighting its status as a significant body in our solar system's small planetary family.