Ceres - a planet or an asteroid? Mythological and astrological significance

Ceres is a dwarf planet located within the main belt of asteroids, between Mars and Jupiter. The dwarf planet was named after the Roman goddess of agriculture and the abundance of Ceres. Consisting mainly of rocky and icy formations, it has approximately 950 km in diameter.

Discovery of a dwarf planet

Ceres - an asteroid or a planet? Accidentally discovered in 1801 by the Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi, an unknown celestial body was first identified as a comet, and then it was assumed that it was an asteroid. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union formed a new class of objects of the solar system, known as dwarf planets. Ceres was considered a planet, though dwarfish, along with Vesta, Juno and others.

Physical characteristics and composition of the planet

Scientists believe that Ceres has a rocky core and an ice mantle 100 kilometers thick. Some of them also believe that it has a liquid water layer up to 200 million cubic kilometers. This assumption makes the dwarf planet an interesting object for studying those researchers who are looking for signs of extraterrestrial life. NASA began a study called "Don," whose mission was to make a space trip directly to the asteroid belt to collect data on the features of the surface and the chemical composition of the dwarf.

Spectral analysis showed the presence of traces of minerals and water, and in places, probably, also an ice cover. According to astronomers, the planet Ceres (NASA's photo gives reason to think so) can have freshwater deposits in much larger quantities than on Earth, and they occupy an area equal to the territory of India, Argentina or 4% of the lunar surface. The outer layer is fairly porous, with the possible presence of iron-rich clay rocks and carbonates.

NASA Research

There is no longer any doubt about the denial of the fact that the planet Ceres is an asteroid, one of those that make up its orbit. The automated spacecraft NASA "Don" entered the planetary orbit on March 6, 2015. Pictures of the object were made in January 2015, when the ship was just approaching Ceres. The camera was captured two bright spots in one of the craters. On March 3, 2015, a NASA spokesman said that it could be ice or salt traces. May 11, 2015 there were images of higher resolution, which showed more light spots.

Ice, flame and geological development

The Ceres surface is relatively warm. The maximum temperature is -38 ° C. Ice at this temperature is quite unstable. Due to the ultraviolet observations of the spacecraft IUE, a significant amount of hydroxide ions was found at the North Pole of the planet. They are a product of water evaporation due to ultraviolet solar radiation.

The geological development of the rocky and icy surface directly depended on the heat sources available during and after the formation of such a cosmic object as Ceres (a dwarf planet). These processes also, quite probably, can be connected with certain volcanic and tectonic movements. Ice formations on the surface gradually rose, covering themselves with minerals in the form of clay and carbonates.

Planet Ceres in astrology and mythology

In astrology, Ceres (the planet) is the symbol of the connection between the parent and the child. There is no greater love on earth than the mother's love for her child. In medical astrology, Ceres's defeat means having a reproductive problem and infertility. As a heavenly body, the planet is responsible for working capacity, diligence and ability to adequately carry out professional assignments, productive ideas, projects and creations.

In the mythology of Ceres (the planet), the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Demeter, was the sister of Zeus (Jupiter). She is the mother of the whole earth and is responsible for the harvest, cooking, love, abundance and comfort. She was the goddess of agriculture, and when her daughter Persephone (Proserpine) was abducted by Pluto who wanted to force her to marry him, Ceres was so carried away by her daughter that she neglected the care of the Earth, which became quite cold. Thus, the autumn and winter seasons were characterized. In spring and summer Persephone was returned to her mother Hermes, and everything around blossomed.

Ceres is a dwarf planet on a par with Pluto, which is an equal player along with the rest of the participants on the cosmic field of the solar system. This is the largest of all small planets discovered by mankind.