Consider the following statements regarding Ceres:1. Ceres is the onl...
To determine which of the given statements about Ceres are correct, let's analyze each statement:
1. Ceres is the only dwarf planet located within the inner solar system.
- This statement is correct. Ceres is situated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, which is part of the inner solar system. It is the only recognized dwarf planet in this region.
2. Ceres completes one orbit around the Sun in approximately 687 Earth days.
- This statement is incorrect. Ceres takes approximately 1,682 Earth days to complete one orbit around the Sun. The figure 687 days is actually the orbital period of Mars, not Ceres.
3. Ceres was initially classified as an asteroid before being reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.
- This statement is correct. Ceres was discovered in 1801 and initially classified as an asteroid. However, due to its size and characteristics, it was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006.
Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.