Focus On: (18) Melpomene

Basics

Class: S-type asteroid
Location: Main belt
Orbit length (approx): 3.48 years
Discovered: 24th June 1852 (time unknown), from London, U.K., by John Russell Hind
Notes: Composed of silicates and metals.
Events at time of discovery:

• June 30 – The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 is passed, giving NZ self-government.
• July 1 – American statesman Henry Clay is the first to receive the honor of lying in state in the United States Capitol rotunda.
• July 5 – Frederick Douglass delivers his famous speech, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"

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Naming information

Name origin: Greek muse of tragedy
Mythology: Literal translation: 'to sing' or 'the one that is melodious', initially the muse of chorus, eventually became the muse of tragedy, and is now best known in that association. Melpomene is often represented wearing the cothurnus, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors. She is also depicted holding a knife or club in one hand and the tragic mask in the other.

Fresco fragment depicting Melpomene, from the House of Julia Felix in Pompeii, 62-79 AD. Photo by Carole Raddato.

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Astrological data

Discovery degree: 3+ Capricorn
Discovery Sabian: A Group Of People Outfitting A Large Canoe At The Start Of A Journey By Water
Discovery nodal signature: Leo-Aries
Estimated orbital resonances: Venus 3:17, Earth 2:7, Mars 8:13, Ceres 4:3, Jupiter 17:5, Saturn 17:2
Discovery chart details: Mars and Uranus were trine one another and both sextile the North Node, with Ceres semi-sextile. Melpomene was sextile Eris. Vesta was conjunct Pluto, with Chiron trine both. Juno was sesquiquadrate Jupiter and semi-square Saturn.

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Summary and references

Along with theatrical gifts, acting and writing^[1][2], may represent creativity in general and the results of constructive effort, tradition and order (and the urge to break away from them), persistent devotion, cultural development.

References:
1) Neptune's Aura Astrology: Asteroid Melpomene 18
2) TAKE Astrology: Asteroids in Astrology

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Noon discovery chart for (18) Melpomene: 24th June 1852, London, U.K.