1. The planet closest to Ceres is Mars, which can sometimes be seen from Earth. However, Mars is not always visible in the night sky, because:

• Sometimes the sun’s light does not reflect off of Mars
• The moon is too bright on some nights
• Its orbit is different from Earth’s orbit
• Other planets get in between Mars and Earth, obscuring it from view

2. Because Ceres has a greater mass than the other objects in the asteroid belt, it also has which of the following?

• A greater gravitational force
• A faster orbital speed
• A larger orbit
• Its own moon

3. Based on its orbital motion, Ceres is most similar to which other celestial body?

• A comet
• The sun
• The moon
• Pluto

4. Like other dwarf planets, Ceres is round, as a result of which of the following?

• Its proximity to other planets
• The other asteroids smashing into it
• Its orbital shape and speed
• Its mass

5. In science class you are talking about the orbits of objects in the solar system. Your classmate suggests that if the sun suddenly ceased to exist, Ceres and all of the asteroids would simply start orbiting Jupiter instead, since it is the next-largest object in the solar system. How do you respond to his claim?

• He is incorrect; Ceres and the asteroids would continue on their existing orbital paths.
• He is incorrect; Ceres and the asteroids would begin moving in a straight line away from the center of the solar system.
• He is correct; Ceres and the asteroids would begin to orbit Jupiter.
• He is incorrect; Ceres and the asteroids would stop moving altogether.

6. Imagine that you are standing on the surface of Ceres. Using what you have learned, describe how the sun would appear to you, compared to the other stars in the sky.

7. Looking at the image of Ceres and using what you’ve already learned, describe what forces have given it this shape.

8. Explain the force lines in your diagram and how gravity force holds together the dwarf planet and makes it the shape it is.

9. A classmate is trying to make a scale model of the solar system using the data in the table. She wants to use a basketball to represent the sun. At that scale, what object would make the most sense to represent Ceres?

• A grain of pepper
• A baseball
• A cotton ball
• A kernel of corn

10. Use the below image of Ceres to draw force lines to show the direction of the force of gravity that’s holding it together.

11. Your classmate is designing a model of the solar system, but they are unsure about where the asteroid belt is located. Draw a line to show where the asteroid belt belongs among the other bodies in our solar system.

12. The Hubble Space Telescope and the new James Webb Space Telescope are able to peer deep into space to discover and observe fascinating things in the Universe. As we see new photos from them, what shapes would you expect most planets and stars that they discover to be? Why?