Minor Planet Named for a Greek God: A Celestial Tribute to Mythology

Discover the fascinating world of minor planets, celestial bodies orbiting the sun that often carry the names of ancient Greek deities. This intriguing practice pays homage to the rich tapestry of Greek mythology, immortalizing its powerful figures in the vastness of space. Explore a comprehensive list of these celestial bodies, delving into the origins and meanings behind each name, and embark on a captivating journey through the realms of Greek mythology and astronomy.
1. **Aeacus:** Son of Zeus and Aegina, king of Aegina, known for his justice and wisdom.

2. **Aethon:** One of the four horses of the Sun god Helios, representing fire and swiftness.

3. **Agapenor:** Son of Anchises, leader of the Arcadians during the Trojan War, known for his bravery and leadership.

4. **Agamemnon:** King of Mycenae, commander of the Greek forces in the Trojan War, known for his leadership and ambition.

5. **Ajax:** A mighty warrior in the Trojan War, known for his strength and courage, often depicted as a tragic figure.

6. **Alcestis:** Wife of Admetus, renowned for her self-sacrifice to save her husband's life, celebrated for her love and devotion.

7. **Alcon:** One of the Alcionides, daughters of the giant Alkyoneus, known for their pursuit of the hunter Orion.

8. **Andromeda:** Daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, rescued by Perseus from a sea monster, known for her beauty and resilience.

9. **Antaeus:** Giant son of Poseidon, known for his strength, which was renewed by contact with the earth, defeated by Hercules.

10. **Antigone:** Daughter of Oedipus, known for her unwavering loyalty to her family, even in the face of societal law.

11. **Apollo:** God of the Sun, music, poetry, prophecy, healing, and archery, known for his beauty and artistic talents.

12. **Ares:** God of war, violence, and bloodshed, often depicted as fierce and ruthless.

13. **Artemis:** Goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, and the moon, known for her independence and strength.

14. **Asclepius:** God of healing and medicine, known for his knowledge and ability to cure diseases.

15. **Athena:** Goddess of wisdom, war, crafts, and justice, known for her intelligence and strategic brilliance.

16. **Atlas:** Titan condemned to hold up the sky, known for his strength and burden.

17. **Autolycus:** Son of Hermes, known for his cunning and ability to steal, often depicted as a trickster figure.

18. **Cadmus:** Founder of Thebes, known for his adventures and slaying of the dragon.

19. **Calliope:** Muse of epic poetry and eloquence, known for her inspiring and powerful verse.

20. **Castor:** One of the Dioscuri, known for his horsemanship and skill in combat.

21. **Cetus:** Sea monster sent to devour Andromeda, known for its terrifying appearance and destructive power.

22. **Charon:** Ferryman who transported souls across the River Styx to the underworld, known for his grim duty.

23. **Chiron:** Wise centaur, skilled in medicine, music, and archery, known for his teaching and healing abilities.

24. **Chronos:** Titan who ruled during the Golden Age, known for his time-keeping powers and overthrowing his father.

25. **Clymene:** Mother of Helios, Selene, and Eos, known for her association with the celestial bodies.

26. **Demeter:** Goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest, known for her nurturing and bountiful nature.

27. **Dionysus:** God of wine, theater, and revelry, known for his ecstatic and transformative nature.

28. **Eirene:** Goddess of peace and prosperity, known for her calming influence and promoting harmony.

29. **Eos:** Goddess of the dawn, known for her beauty and the rosy hue of the morning sky.

30. **Erebus:** Personification of darkness and shadow, known for his association with the underworld.

31. **Eris:** Goddess of strife and discord, known for her role in instigating the Trojan War.

32. **Europa:** Daughter of the Phoenician king Agenor, abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull, known for her beauty and association with the continent of Europe.

33. **Hades:** God of the underworld, death, and wealth, known for his solemn and powerful rule.

34. **Helios:** God of the Sun, known for his radiant light and journey across the sky.

35. **Hephaestus:** God of fire, metalworking, and craftsmanship, known for his skill and ingenuity.

36. **Hermes:** Messenger of the gods, known for his speed, cunning, and ability to travel between the worlds.

37. **Hestia:** Goddess of the hearth and home, known for her warmth and nurturing presence.

38. **Hypnos:** God of sleep and dreams, known for his ability to lull people into slumber.

39. **Icarus:** Son of Daedalus, known for his tragic flight with wings of wax and his hubris.

40. **Icarus:** Son of Daedalus, known for his tragic flight with wings of wax and his hubris.

41. **Iris:** Messenger goddess of the rainbow, known for her speed and ability to connect the heavens and earth.

42. **Jason:** Leader of the Argonauts, known for his quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece, symbolizing courage and determination.

43. **Kratos:** Personification of strength and power, known for his role in upholding Zeus's authority.

44. **Lethe:** River of forgetfulness in the underworld, known for its ability to erase memories of the past.

45. **Metis:** Titaness known for her wisdom and cunning, swallowed by Zeus to prevent her from birthing a child who would overthrow him.

46. **Mnemosyne:** Titaness of memory and the mother of the Muses, known for her vast knowledge and ability to recall the past.

47. **Morpheus:** God of dreams, known for his ability to create vivid and realistic dreams.

48. **Nemesis:** Goddess of retribution and divine vengeance, known for her pursuit of those who commit wrongdoing.

49. **Nike:** Goddess of victory, known for her association with triumph and success.

50. **Oceanus:** Titan who personified the primordial ocean, known for his vastness and the source of all waters.

51. **Oedipus:** King of Thebes, known for his tragic fate and the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy.

52. **Pandora:** First woman created by Hephaestus, known for opening a box releasing evils into the world, symbolizing curiosity and the consequences of actions.

53. **Pan:** God of the wild, shepherds, and rustic music, known for his playful and mischievous nature.

54. **Persephone:** Queen of the underworld, wife of Hades, known for her association with fertility and the cycle of life and death.

55. **Perseus:** Hero known for slaying the Gorgon Medusa, rescuing Andromeda, and his bravery in the face of danger.

56. **Phorcys:** Sea god, father of monsters and mythical creatures, known for his association with the deep and dangerous sea.

57. **Poseidon:** God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, known for his power and control over the oceans.

58. **Prometheus:** Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, known for his defiance and compassion.

59. **Psyche:** Mortal woman who fell in love with Eros, known for her beauty and determination in overcoming challenges.

60. **Selene:** Goddess of the Moon, known for her silvery light and her association with the night sky.

61. **Thanatos:** Personification of death, known for his grim duty of guiding souls to the underworld.

62. **Thetis:** Sea nymph, mother of Achilles, known for her association with the ocean and her role in Greek mythology.

63. **Tyche:** Goddess of fortune and luck, known for her capricious nature and ability to bestow good or bad fortune.

64. **Uranus:** Primordial god who personified the sky, known for his role in the creation of the universe.

65. **Zeus:** King of the gods, god of the sky, thunder, lightning, and justice, known for his power, authority, and complex relationships with mortals and deities.