Present radiometric and polarimetric measurements of the sizes and albedos of asteroids 1 Ceres and 4 Vesta, although uncertain in absolute calibration, determine the ratio of diameters with sufficient precision (Ceres/Vesta=1.87¿0.03) to permit meaningful discussion of their relative densities. These measurements combined with the known masses yield a ratio of densities Vesta/Ceres=1.33¿0.17, thus demonstrating that: (1) the bulk compositions are likely different, and (2) the difference is consistent with indications from remotely-determined surface composition that Vesta is differentiated while Ceres may be of undifferentiated carbonaceous chondritic composition. |