Chiron, formally designated 2060 Chiron, is a ringed small Solar System body orbiting the Sun between Saturn and Uranus, discovered in 1977 by the American astronomer Charles Kowal. It was the first identified member of a new class of objects now called centaurs, bodies that orbit between the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt, and it is named after Chiron of Greek mythology.
Facts
Discovery Year Sources
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia Foundation
Wikidata: Chiron
Chiron (Wikipedia)
Chiron, Wikipedia - lead section, catalogue classificationQuote, Chiron, Wikipedia - lead section, catalogue classification
In Greek mythology, Chiron, also Cheiron or Kheiron, (Ancient Greek: Χείρων, romanized: Kheírōn, lit. 'hand'; pronounced /ˈkaɪrən/ or /ˈkaɪrɒn/, KY-rən, KY-ron, Kye-ron or Kee-ron) was held to be the superlative centaur amongst his brethren since he was called the "wisest and justest of all the centaurs".
2060 Chiron (Wikipedia)
In Group: Centaurs, Lead sentenceQuote, In Group: Centaurs, Lead sentence
Discovered in 1977 by Charles Kowal, it was the first-identified member of a new class of objects now known as centaurs-bodies orbiting between the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt.
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