Giuseppe Piazzi and the Discovery of Ceres
Abstract
In this chapter we focus on the circumstances that led Giuseppe Piazzi (1746-1826) to discover the first asteroid, Ceres, on January 1, 1801. Through the examination of published and archival documentation, we shed light on the reaction of the astronomical community at the announcement of the discovery and on Piazzi's puzzling behavior. In the end, we briefly discuss the discoveries of Pallas, Juno, and Vesta and the theories put forward to explain their nature.
- Publication:
-
Asteroids III
- Pub Date:
- 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002aste.book...17F