Piazzi

Definition

Giuseppe Piazzi was an Italian astronomer who discovered the first asteroid, Ceres, in 1801. His discovery marked the beginning of asteroid studies in modern astronomy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Giuseppe Piazzi discovered Ceres on January 1, 1801.
2. Piazzi initially thought Ceres might be a comet due to its movement.
3. Ceres is located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
4. The discovery of Ceres led to the identification of many other asteroids in the same region.
5. Piazzi's work laid the foundation for future studies of small solar system bodies.

Review Questions

• Who discovered the first asteroid and what was it named?
• What did Giuseppe Piazzi initially think about Ceres' nature?
• Where is Ceres located within our solar system?

Related terms

Ceres: The first asteroid discovered by Giuseppe Piazzi, now classified as a dwarf planet.

Asteroid Belt: The region of space between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids are found.

Comet: A celestial object composed of ice and dust that often has a visible coma or tail when near the sun.