Name origin: Toulouse in France, where the asteroid was discovered. Schmadel says the city was celebrated for the cultivation of the sciences; it is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe (founded in 1229) and several prestigious higher education schools, most notably in aerospace engineering.
Focus On: (138) Tolosa Read Post »
Sappho (c.630-570 BCE) was an ancient Greek lyric poet and musician from the island of Lesbos. Widely regarded as an outstanding writer, she was called the Tenth Muse; sadly, much of her work, in total estimated at around 10,000 lines, has been lost. Her poetry is still influential today.
Focus On: (80) Sappho Read Post »
Zeus ordered Ekho to protect him when he was dallying with her fellow nymphs. She did this by engaging his wife Hera in chat when about to discover her husband’s infidelity. As punishment, Hera cursed Ekho by only allowing her to repeat another’s words. Afterwards, Ekho fell in love with the mortal Narcissus, who spurned her. He wasted away pining for his own reflection, and she eventually did the same in mourning for him.
Focus On: (60) Echo Read Post »
Name origin: Greek Muse of astronomy and astronomical writings. Ourania was often depicted pointing at a celestial globe with a rod. The astrological symbol represents compass calipers.
Focus On: (30) Urania Read Post »
Name origin: Greek Muse of lyric poetry. Euterpe’s attribute was the double flute. Her name is derived from two Greek words meaning “giver of much delight.”
Focus On: (27) Euterpe Read Post »
Phocaea or Phokaia (modern-day Foça in Turkey) was a city on the western coast of Anatolia. Greek colonists from Phocaea founded the city of Massalia (Marseille), from where the asteroid was discovered.
Focus On: (25) Phocaea Read Post »
Name origin: Latin name for Paris, the capital city of France, where the asteroid was discovered (the full name being Lutetia Parisiorum, “Lutetia of the Parisii”).
Focus On: (21) Lutetia Read Post »
Name origin: Latin name for the French city of Marseille, from which the independent discover Jean Chacornac sighted it the night following de Gasparis’ discovery.
Focus On: (20) Massalia Read Post »
Name origin: Roman goddess of fortune and fate, and the personification of luck.
Focus On: (19) Fortuna Read Post »
Name origin: Greek muse of tragedy. Literal translation: ‘to sing’ or ‘the one that is melodious’; initially the muse of chorus.
Focus On: (18) Melpomene Read Post »
