Some of the details are provided more in the reference paper cited. Here are some observations from me after digesting it
From the space.com report I note at least 3500 Ceres size asteroids are used in the new simulation model to explain the origin of the one Ceres we do see today in the main belt asteroid system. These 3500 postulated Ceres exist beyond where Saturn is today in the early solar system, at least 4.5 billion years ago (I assume). The reference paper link cited, Dynamical origin of the Dwarf Planet Ceres,
https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.09238, 18-Feb-2022 in the abstract shows 3600 Ceres size asteroids used in the simulation. The paper link is 34-pages PDF,
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2202.09238.pdf.
The paper shows Ceres is about 1/3 the total mass of the main belt asteroids today and its composition does not fit well with the other asteroids. The simulation uses a trans-Saturnian disk with a disk mass of 30 earth masses and states about the total number of Ceres size asteroids used, “We assume that the primordial disk beyond Saturn contained 3600 - 14000 Ceres-sized planetesimals (Nesvorny &Vokrouhlicky 2016).” I like the paper and it is easy to read and review. Various assumptions are documented clearly, and the doctrine of uniformity must be assumed to run these calculations. Today in the ecliptic we do not see masses like this near or beyond where Saturn orbits. We do not see some 3600-14000 Ceres size asteroids out there or 30 earth masses in a postulated protoplanetary disk in the trans-Saturnian region. The NASA ADS Abstract is Dynamical origin of the Dwarf Planet Ceres,
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022arXiv220209238R/abstract, Feb-2022.
One problem I note in various papers is defining the MMSN in the trans-Saturnian disk region, about 10-20 AU from the Sun and how much mass the postulated disk contained. "Context. Modern models of the formation of ice giants attempt to account for the formation of Uranus and Neptune within the protoplanetary disk lifetime. These models assume a higher initial surface density well above that of the minimum mass solar nebula model and/or the formation of all giant planets in an inner compact configuration. Other effects include planetesimals migration due to gas drag and the small size of the accreted planetesimals, which accelerates the accretion rate. However, at present, none of these models account for the spin properties of the ice giants.",
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011A&A...534A..28P/abstract, October 2011.
It seems the answers using the protoplanetary disk model(s) and MMSN are still a work in progress
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When it comes to viewing Ceres, I do enjoy tracking the asteroid using my telescopes. However, I can only track and see one Ceres out there.
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