Which of the following was the first asteroid discovered?

Ceres is recognized as the first asteroid to be discovered, with its identification dating back to January 1, 1801, by the Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi. Initially classified as a planet, Ceres was later officially designated as the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The significance of Ceres in astronomical history lies in its size and status; it is classified as a dwarf planet due to its spherical shape and substantial size compared to smaller asteroids. This established Ceres as a key object of study in understanding the early solar system and the formation of planetary bodies.

In contrast, the other options listed—Basalt, Pyroxferroite, and Natural glass—do not refer to asteroids. Basalt is a type of volcanic rock, pyroxferroite is a mineral, and natural glass refers to naturally occurring glassy substances, such as obsidian. These materials are unrelated to the discovery of asteroids or celestial objects.