Focus On: (18) Melpomene
Name origin: Greek muse of tragedy. Literal translation: ‘to sing’ or ‘the one that is melodious’; initially the muse of chorus.
Asteroids, Capricorn discovery, Focus On, Inner main belt objects, Main belt objects
Asteroids, Focus On, Hygiea family, Libra discovery, Main belt objects, Outer main belt objects
Focus On: (10) Hygiea
Name origin: Greek goddess of health and healing, daughter and assistant of Asklepios.
Asteroids, Focus On, Inner main belt objects, Main belt objects, Scorpio discovery
Focus On: (9) Metis
Name origin: Greek goddess of wisdom and counsel, mother of Athene by Zeus.
Asteroids, Flora family, Focus On, Gemini discovery, Inner main belt objects, Main belt objects
Focus On: (8) Flora
Name origin: Sabine and Roman goddess of flowers and of the season of spring – a symbol for nature and flowers (especially the may-flower).
Asteroids, Capricorn discovery, Focus On, Inner main belt objects, Main belt objects
Focus On: (7) Iris
Name origin: Greek personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods, a servant to the Olympians and especially Queen Hera.
Asteroids, Central main belt objects, Focus On, Main belt objects, Virgo discovery
Focus On: (2) Pallas
Name origin: Pallas Athene, Greek goddess of wisdom and good counsel, war, the defence of towns, heroic endeavour, weaving, pottery and various other crafts.
Central main belt objects, Dwarf planets, Focus On, Main belt objects, Taurus discovery
Focus On: (1) Ceres
Name origin: Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, abundance, fertility and mothers. Name means “to feed”.