Basics
Class: B-type asteroid
Location: Outer main belt, Themistian family
Orbit length (approx): 5.59 years
Discovered: 5th April 1853 (time unknown), from Naples Observatory, Italy, by Annibale de Gasparis
Notes: One of the largest asteroids in the asteroid belt, at roughly 200km in diameter.
Events at time of discovery:
- March 29 – Manchester, U.K., is granted city status.
- – Birth of Elihu Thomson, co-founder of General Electric
- March 30 – Birth of Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter
Naming information
Name origin: Greek Titan goddess of divine law and order.
Mythology: Themis presides specifically over the traditional rules of conduct first established by the gods. She was also a prophetic goddess who presided over the most ancient oracles, including Delphi. In this role, she was the divine voice who first instructed mankind in the primal laws of justice, morality and conduct. Identified with Demeter as Bringer of Law, and with Gaia as the oracle of the Earth.
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| Themis with scales; sculpture at Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan. Image from Encyclopædia Britannica. |
Astrological data
Discovery degree: 14+ Virgo
Discovery Sabian: A Fine Lace Handkerchief, Heirloom from Valorous Ancestors
Discovery nodal signature: Taurus–Scorpio
Estimated orbital resonances: Venus 1:9, Mars 5:13, Ceres 9:11, Jupiter 15:7, Chiron 9:1, Uranus 15:1
Discovery chart details: Noon. Stellia in Aries and Taurus. Minor grand trine between Ceres, Chiron and Neptune; Yod with Mars, Vesta and Pallas. Uranus tightly semi-square North Node; Pholus quincunx and Chariklo sextile. Mercury trine and Mars semi-square Jupiter; Mars and Vesta semi-sextile Pluto. Pallas opposite Pluto; Mercury sextile and Jupiter opposite Nessus.
Summary and references
Meanings given so far include: concern with law and order, judgment, pedantry, intuition, friendliness or its opposite[1]; voluntary compromise when values make it possible, and coherence in actions and words[2]; wisdom and advice from a respected source[3].
References:
1)Mark Andrew Holmes: Themis
2) Amable: (24) Themis
3) Kirsti Melto: New Moon in Libra – October 15, 2012
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| Noon discovery chart for (24) Themis: 5th April 1853, Naples Observatory, Italy. |