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Today in History: Heinrich Olbers discovers brightest asteroid Vesta

3/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On March 29, 1807, German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers discovered Vesta, the second-largest asteroid in the asteroid belt, measuring 525 kilometers in diameter. Named after the Roman goddess of home and hearth, Vesta is notable for being the brightest asteroid and plays a significant role in our understanding of the Solar System.

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Story summary

On March 29, 1807, German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers discovered Vesta, the second-largest asteroid in the asteroid belt, measuring 525 kilometers in diameter. Named after the Roman goddess of home and hearth, Vesta is notable for being the brightest asteroid and plays a significant role in our understanding of the Solar System.