TABLE II.
Elements of the Asteroids.

NameaPeπi
149. Medusa2.13271137.7d0.1194246°37´342°13´1°6´
244. Sita2.17651172.80.137013820837250
228. Agathe2.20091192.60.24053292331318233
8. Flora2.20141193.30.1567325411018553
43. Ariadne2.20331194.50.16712775826435328
254. Augusta2.20601196.80.122726047289436
72. Feronia2.26611246.00.11983075820749524
40. Harmonia2.26731247.00.04660549335416
207. Hedda2.28391260.70.030121722851349
136. Austria2.28631262.70.084931661867933
18. Melpomene2.29561270.40.21771561504109
80. Sappho2.29621270.90.20013551821844837
261. Prymno2.30621278.40.0794179359633338
12. Victoria2.33421302.70.21893013923535823
27. Euterpe2.34721313.50.173987599351136
219. Thusnelda2.35421319.40.224734034200441047
163. Erigone2.35601320.90.156793461592442
169. Zelia2.35771322.30.13133262035438531
4. Vesta2.36161325.60.0884250571032978
186. Celuta2.36231326.20.1512327241434136
84. Clio2.36291326.70.23603392032728922
51. Nemausa2.36521328.60.06721744317552957
220. Stephania2.36661329.80.26533325325824735
30. Urania2.36671329.90.126631463081226
105. Artemis2.37441336.40.17492423818832131
113. Amalthea2.37611337.80.0874198441231152
115. Thyra2.37911340.30.193943230951135
161. Athor2.37921340.50.138931040182793
172. Baucis2.37941340.60.11393292333150102
249. Ilse2.37951340.60.2195141733449940
230. Athamantis2.38421344.60.0615173123933926
7. Iris2.38621346.40.2308412325948528
9. Metis2.38661346.70.12337146832536
234. Barbara2.38731347.30.24403332614491522
60. Echo2.39341352.40.183898361925335
63. Ausonia2.39791356.30.12392702533758548
25. Phocea2.40051358.50.255330248208272135
192. Nausicaa2.40141359.30.24133431916046650
20. Massalia2.40241365.80.142999720636041
265. Anna2.40961366.20.262822618335262524
182. Elsa2.41571371.40.185251521063020
142. Polana2.41941374.50.13222195431734214
67. Asia2.42041375.40.18663063520247559
44. Nysa2.42231377.00.15071115713111342
6. Hebe2.42541379.30.20341516138431047
83. Beatrix2.43011383.60.085919146273250
135. Hertha2.43031383.80.2037320113443219
131. Vala2.43181385.10.0683222506515458
112. Iphigenia2.43351386.60.128233893243237
21. Lutetia2.43541388.20.16213274802835
118. Peitho2.43841390.80.160877364730748
126. Velleda2.43991392.10.106134746237256
42. Isis2.44011392.20.2256317588428835
19. Fortuna2.44151394.40.159431321127133
79. Eurynome2.44361395.20.1945442220644437
138. Tolosa2.44921400.00.1623311395452314
189. Phthia2.45051401.10.035665020322510
11. Parthenope2.45291403.20.0994318212511437
178. Belisana2.45831407.80.12662780501725
198. Ampella2.45951408.90.22663544626845920
248. Lameia2.47141419.10.0656248402463441
17. Thetis2.47261420.10.12932613712524536
46. Hestia2.52651466.80.16423541418131217
89. Julia2.55101488.20.180535313311421611
232. Russia2.55221489.30.1754200251523064
29. Amphitrite2.55451491.30.074256233564167
170. Maria2.55491491.70.06399547301201423
262. Valda2.56351496.40.217261423840746
258. Tyche2.56431499.80.1966154220841450
134. Sophrosyne2.56471500.30.11656733346221136
264. Libussa2.56721502.40.09250750231029
193. Ambrosia2.57581510.00.28547052351151139
13. Egeria2.57651510.60.08711201043121632
5. Astræa2.57861512.40.18631345714128519
119. Althea2.58241515.70.0815112920357545
157. Dejanira2.58281516.10.2105107246231122
101. Helena2.58491518.00.138632715343461011
32. Pomona2.58731520.10.08301932222043529
91. Ægina2.58951522.10.1087802211728
14. Irene2.58961522.10.162718019864898
111. Ate2.59271524.80.10531084230613457
151. Abundantia2.59321525.30.0356173553848630
56. Melete2.60101532.20.234029450194182
132. Æthra2.60251533.50.3799152242602250
214. Aschera2.61111541.10.03161155534230327
70. Panopea2.61391543.60.18262994948181138
194. Procne2.61591545.40.238331933159191824
53. Calypso2.61751546.80.206092521435857
78. Diana2.61941548.50.20881214233358840
124. Alceste2.62971557.60.07842454218826256
23. Thalia2.63061558.40.22991235867451014
164. Eva2.63141559.10.34713593277282425
15. Eunomia2.64371570.00.1872275218826256
37. Fides2.64401570.30.1758662682137
66. Maia2.64541571.60.175048881736
224. Oceana2.64651572.60.04552705135318552
253. Mathilde2.64691572.90.2620333391803637
50. Virginia2.65201577.40.285210917345248
144. Vibilia2.65301578.40.2348797647448
85. Io2.65391579.20.191132235203561153
26. Proserpine2.65611581.10.0873236254555336
233. Asterope2.65961584.30.10103443622225739
102. Miriam2.66191586.30.3035354392115854
240. Vanadis2.66381588.00.205651531145426
73. Clytie2.66521589.30.04195755751224
218. Bianca2.66531589.30.115523014170501513
141. Lumen2.66661590.50.2115134331971157
77. Frigga2.66801591.80.1318584720228
3. Juno2.66831592.00.2579545017053131
97. Clotho2.67081594.30.25506532160371146
75. Eurydice2.67201595.30.3060335333595651
145. Adeona2.67241595.40.14061175377411238
204. Callisto2.67321596.40.17522574520540819
114. Cassandra2.67581598.80.1401153616424455
201. Penelope2.67641599.30.1818334211575544
64. Angelina2.68161603.90.1271125363114119
98. Ianthe2.68471606.70.19201485235471532
34. Circe2.68641608.30.10731484118446527
123. Brunhilda2.69181613.20.1150725730828627
166. Rhodope2.69271613.90.2140305112933122
109. Felicitas2.69501616.00.300256145683
246. Asporina2.69941619.90.106525554162351539
58. Concordia2.70041620.80.0426189101612052
103. Hera2.70141621.80.0803321313618524
54. Alexandra2.70951629.10.200029539313451147
226. Weringia2.71181631.20.204828446135181550
59. Olympia2.71241631.70.1189173317026837
146. Lucina2.71891637.50.0655227348416136
45. Eugenia2.72051639.00.0811232514757635
210. Isabella2.72351641.70.122044223258518
187. Lamberta2.72721645.00.2391214422131043
180. Garumna2.72861646.30.17221255631442054
160. Una2.72871646.40.06245557922351
140. Siwa2.73161649.00.2160300331072312
110. Lydia2.73271650.00.077033649571060
185. Eunice2.73721654.10.12921632153502317
203. Pompeia2.73761654.50.0588425134837313
200. Dynamene2.73781654.60.1335463832526656
197. Arete2.73901655.80.162132451826848
206. Hersilia2.73991656.50.0389954414516346
255. Oppavia2.74021656.60.072816915146933
247. Eukrate2.74121657.70.23875344020257
38. Leda2.74321659.60.15311012029627657
125. Liberatrix2.74371660.00.07982732916935438
173. Ino2.74461660.80.20471328148341415
36. Atalanta2.74521661.30.30234244359141842
128. Nemesis2.75141666.90.125716347631616
93. Minerva2.75371669.00.14052744454837
127. Johanna2.75501670.30.0659122373146817
71. Niobe2.75581671.00.173222117316302319
213. Lilæa2.75631671.40.1437281412217647
55. Pandora2.76041675.10.142910361056714
237. Cœlestina2.76071675.50.0738282498433946
143. Adria2.76191676.60.072922227333421130
82. Alcmene2.76201676.60.2228131452657251
116. Sirona2.76691681.10.1433152476426335
1. Ceres2.76731681.40.07631493880471037
88. Thisbe2.76731681.50.163230834277541611
215. Œnone2.76791682.00.0390346242525144
2. Pallas2.76801682.10.240812212172453444
39. Lætitia2.76801682.10.114238157151022
41. Daphne2.76881682.80.26742203317981558
177. Irma2.76951683.50.237022634917127
148. Gallia2.77101684.80.1855367145132521
267. Tirza2.77421687.60.09862645735962
74. Galatea2.77701690.30.23928181975140
205. Martha2.77711690.40.17522154212121040
139. Juewa2.77931692.40.1773164342211057
28. Bellona2.77971692.70.1491124114437922
68. Leto2.78051693.50.188334514451758
216. Cleopatra2.79641708.00.24923281521549132
99. Dike2.79661708.30.23842403641441353
236. Honoria2.79931710.70.18933565918627737
183. Istria2.80241713.40.3530450142462633
266. Aline2.80781718.50.15732352236181320
188. Menippe2.82111730.70.217330938241441121
167. Urda2.85331760.40.0340296416628211
81. Terpsichore2.85801764.80.2080491225755
174. Phædra2.86001766.60.14922531232849129
243. Ida2.86101767.50.0419712232621110
242. Kriemhild2.86231768.70.12191231207571117
129. Antigone2.86781773.90.21262424137371210
217. Eudora2.86901774.90.306831441164101019
158. Coronis2.87141777.20.054556562813010
33. Polyhymnia2.87511780.70.334934259919156
195. Euryclea2.87901784.20.04711154875771
235. Caroline2.87951784.70.059526829663594
47. Aglaia2.88191786.90.131731240402051
208. Lachrymosa2.89261796.90.014912752543148
191. Kolga2.89671800.80.08762321159471129
22. Calliope2.90901801.00.01936243447145
155. Scylla2.91271815.70.25598214252144
238. Hypatia2.91631819.00.09463218184261228
231. Vindobona2.91921821.70.15372532335249510
16. Psyche2.92101823.40.13921591503634
179. Clytemnestra2.97111870.60.11333553925313747
239. Adrastea2.97361873.00.22792611813464
69. Hesperia2.97791877.00.17121081918712828
150. Nuwa2.97851877.50.1307355272073529
61. Danaë2.98551884.20.16153444334111814
117. Lomia2.99071889.10.02294846349391458
35. Leucothea2.99231890.60.22372022535549812
263. Dresda3.01201909.30.30513084921756127
221. Eos3.01341910.70.102833058142351051
162. Laurentia3.02411920.80.172614552381564
156. Xantippe3.03751933.70.26371555824611729
241. Germania3.03811934.00.1013340727228530
256. Walpurga3.04501940.80.118024017183351244
211. Isolda3.04641942.20.1541741226529351
96. Ægle3.04971945.30.14051631032250167
257. Silesia3.05721952.50.255554163431441
133. Cyrene3.05781953.00.1398247133218714
95. Arethusa3.07121965.90.14473258244171254
202. Chryseis3.07771972.10.09591294613747848
268. ——3.08521973.90.12851844812153225
100. Hecate3.09041984.30.1639308312812623
49. Pales3.09081984.70.233031152904038
223. Rosa3.09401987.90.118610248490159
52. Europa3.09551988.00.10981065712940727
245. Vera3.09851992.10.195025296237510
86. Semele3.10151995.10.219329108745447
159. Æmilia3.10892002.20.103410122135964
48. Doris3.11272005.90.0649703318455631
196. Philomela3.11372006.80.0118309197324716
130. Electra3.11452007.70.2132203414662257
212. Medea3.11572008.80.1013561831516416
120. Lachesis3.12112014.00.047521403425171
181. Eucharis3.12262015.40.22059525144451838
62. Erato3.12412016.90.175639012546212
222. Lucia3.12632019.00.145325828011211
137. Melibœa3.12642019.10.207430758204221322
165. Loreley3.12692019.60.07342235030461012
251. Sophia3.13152024.10.124377715761020
24. Themis3.13572028.10.124214483549049
152. Atala3.13622028.60.0862842341291212
10. Hygeia3.13662029.10.1156237228538349
259. Aletheia3.13692029.30.11762414588321040
227. Philosophia3.13932031.60.21312262333052916
147. Protogenea3.13932031.60.0247253825116154
171. Ophelia3.14322035.40.11681435910110234
209. Dido3.14362035.90.06372573320715
31. Euphrosyne3.14682039.00.2228932631312627
90. Antiope3.14752039.70.1645301157129217
104. Clymene3.15072042.70.157959324332254
57. Mnemosyne3.15102043.00.1145532520021512
250. Bettina3.15242044.30.1302872826121254
252. Clementina3.15522047.10.0837355820819102
94. Aurora3.16022052.00.082748464984
106. Dione3.16702058.60.178825576314438
199. Byblis3.17772069.00.16872612089521522
92. Undina3.18512076.30.10243312710252957
184. Deiopea3.18832079.40.07251692233618112
176. Idunna3.19062081.60.16412034201132231
154. Bertha3.19762088.50.07881904737352059
108. Hecuba3.21132101.00.10051734935217424
122. Gerda3.21772108.20.04152034517843136
168. Sibylla3.37652266.20.0707112620947433
225. Henrietta3.40072277.80.266129913200452045
229. Adelinda3.41292302.90.156233273049211
76. Freia3.41402304.10.17009049212523
260. Huberta3.42122311.50.11133132216848618
65. Maximiliana3.42702317.20.10972603615850329
121. Hermione3.45352344.20.1255357507646736
87. Sylvia3.48332374.50.09223334875491055
107. Camilla3.48472376.00.07561155317618954
175. Andromache3.50712399.00.347629302335346
190. Ismene3.94712864.30.163410539177067
153. Hilda3.95232869.90.17212854722820755

[PART II.]

[DISCUSSION OF THE FACTS IN TABLE II.]

1. Extent of the Zone.

In Table II. the unit of column a is the earth's mean distance from the sun, or ninety-three million miles. On this scale the breadth of the zone is 1.8196. Or, if we estimate the breadth from the perihelion of Æthra (1.612) to the aphelion of Andromache (4.726), it is 3.114,—more than three times the radius of the earth's orbit. A very remarkable characteristic of the group is the interlacing or intertwining of orbits. "One fact," says D'Arrest, "seems above all to confirm the idea of an intimate relation between all the minor planets; it is, that if their orbits are figured under the form of material rings, these rings will be found so entangled that it would be possible, by means of one among them taken at hazard, to lift up all the rest."[6] Our present knowledge of this wide and complicated cluster is the result of a vast amount, not only of observations, but also of mathematical labor. In view, however, of the perturbations of these bodies by the larger planets, and especially by Jupiter, it is easy to see that the discussion of their motions must present a field of investigation practically boundless.

While the known minor planets were but few in number the theory of Olbers in regard to their origin seemed highly probable; it has, however, been completely disproved by more recent discoveries. The breadth of the zone being now greater than the distance of Mars from the sun, it is no more probable that the asteroids were produced by the disruption of a single planet than that Mercury, Venus, the earth, and Mars originated in a similar manner.

2. The Small Mass of the Asteroids.

In taking a general view of the solar system we cannot fail to be struck by the remarkable fact that Jupiter, whose mass is much greater than that of all other planets united, should be immediately succeeded by a region so nearly destitute of matter as the zone of asteroids. Leverrier inferred from the motion of Mars's perihelion that the mass of Jupiter is at least twelve hundred times greater than that of all the planets in the asteroid ring. The fact is suggestive of Jupiter's dominating energy in the evolution of the asteroid system. We find also something analogous among the satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. Jupiter's third satellite, the largest of the number, is nearly four times greater than the second. Immediately within the orbit of Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn, occurs a wide hiatus, and the volume of the next interior satellite is to that of Titan in the ratio of one to twenty-one. In the Uranian system the widest interval between adjacent orbits is just within the orbit of the bright satellite, Titania.