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Today in History: Olbers discovers Pallas, second asteroid identified

3/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On March 28, 1802, German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers discovered Pallas, the second asteroid identified in the Solar System. Initially classified as a planet, Pallas is now recognized as a remnant protoplanet, comprising about 7% of the asteroid belt's total mass and measuring approximately 507 to 515 kilometers in diameter.

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Story summary

On March 28, 1802, German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers discovered Pallas, the second asteroid identified in the Solar System. Initially classified as a planet, Pallas is now recognized as a remnant protoplanet, comprising about 7% of the asteroid belt's total mass and measuring approximately 507 to 515 kilometers in diameter.