TED-ED: The first asteroid ever discovered - Carrie Nugent

Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the first asteroid, Ceres, in 1801. Initially mistaken for a star, Ceres's movement revealed its true nature. Piazzi tracked its orbit until the Sun obscured it. Carl Friedrich Gauss later calculated its orbit, allowing astronomers to relocate it. Today, thousands of asteroids are known, with many orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. Modern technology, including space telescopes and computers, aids in discovering and tracking asteroids. Studying asteroids helps us understand the solar system, and missions like Dawn provide detailed observations.

What challenges did astronomers face in tracking Ceres after its discovery?

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Describe the advancements in asteroid tracking and study since Piazzi's time.

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