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Chiron
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Chiron

Unusual object orbiting between Saturn and Uranus, discovered in 1977 by US astronomer Charles Kowal. Initially classified as an asteroid, it has now been given both an asteroid designation (2060 Chiron) and a comet designation (95P/Chiron). It is 130,140 km/8,087 mi across, composed of ice with a dark crust of carbon dust. It has a 51-year orbit and a coma (cloud of gas and dust) caused by evaporation from its surface, resembling that of a comet. It is classified as a centaur.

Chiron

In Greek mythology, a wise centaur (half man, half horse), son of the Titan Kronos by the sea nymph Philyra. He was the tutor of the heroes Jason and Achilles, and the god of medicine Asclepius.

Chiron was instructed by Apollo and Artemis in hunting, medicine, music, gymnastics, and prophecy.

After Heracles accidently wounded him with a poisoned arrow, he pleaded to be relinquished from his immortal state, and Zeus transformed him into the constellation Sagittarius.



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