Before Ceres had been generally adopted by astronomers as the name of the first asteroid, Laplace had expressed a preference for Juno. This, however, the discoverer was unwilling to accept. Mr. Harding, like Laplace, deeming it appropriate to place Juno near Jupiter, selected the name for the third minor planet, which is accordingly known by this designation. Juno is distinguished among the first asteroids by the great eccentricity of its orbit, amounting to more than 0.25. Its least and its greatest distances from the sun are therefore to each other very nearly in the ratio of three to five. The planet consequently receives nearly three times as much light and heat in perihelion as in aphelion. It follows, also, that the half of the orbit nearest the sun is described in about eighteen months, while the remainder, or more distant half, is not passed over in much less than three years. Schroeter noticed a variation in the light of Juno, which he supposed to be produced by an axial rotation in about twenty-seven hours. The fact that Juno was discovered not far from the point at which the orbit of Pallas approaches very near that of Ceres, was considered a strong confirmation of the hypothesis that the asteroids were produced by the explosion of a large planet; for in case this hypothesis be founded in truth, it is evident that whatever may have been the forms of the various orbits assumed by the fragments, they must all return to the point of separation. In order, therefore, to detect other members of the group, Dr. Olbers undertook a systematic examination of the two opposite regions of the heavens through which they must pass. This search was prosecuted with great industry and perseverance till ultimately crowned with success. On the 29th of March, 1807, while sweeping over one of those regions through which the orbits of the known asteroids passed, a star of the sixth magnitude was observed where none had been seen at previous examinations. Its planetary character, which was immediately suspected, was confirmed by observation, its motion being detected on the very evening of its discovery. This fortunate result afforded the first instance of the discovery of two primary planets by the same observer. The astronomer Gauss having been requested to name the new planet, fixed upon Vesta, a name universally accepted. Though the brightest of the asteroids, its apparent diameter is too small to be accurately determined, and hence its real magnitude is not well ascertained. Professor Harrington, of Ann Arbor, has estimated the diameter at five hundred and twenty miles. According to others, however, it does not exceed three hundred. If the latter be correct, the volume is about 1/20000 that of the earth. It is remarkable that notwithstanding its diminutive size it may be seen under favorable circumstances by the naked eye.