Juno

Juno

Juno's chart of discovery

Symbol:

Astronomy

Parameter	Size
Perihelion	1.98847 AU
Aphelion	3.35293 AU
Semi-major axis	2.6707 AU
Orbital period	4.36463 yr
Inclination	12.9817°
Mean density	3.20 ± 0.56 g/ cm³
Rotation period	7.21 hr
Mean Diameter	267 (290 × 245) km
Eccentricity	0.25545
Albedo	0.238 (geometric)

3 Juno is a minor planet or asteroid that orbits around the sun in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is the 11th-largest asteroid but was the third asteroid to be discovered. It is one of the two largest stony (S-type) asteroids, and is estimated to contain 1% of the total mass of the asteroid belt. Amongst S-type asteroids, Juno is unusually reflective. This high albedo explains its relatively high apparent magnitude for a small object not near the inner edge of the asteroid belt. Juno can reach +7.5 at a favourable opposition, which is brighter than Neptune.
It was discovered on September 1, 1804 at 22h12 LMT by German astronomer Karl L. Harding in Lilienthal, close to Bremen in Germany.
Its mean distance to the Sun is 399.4 million km - which is slightly closer to the Sun than Ceres or Pallas. Its orbit is moderately inclined at around 12° to the ecliptic, but has an extreme eccentricity, greater than that of Pluto. This high eccentricity brings Juno closer to the Sun at perihelion than Vesta and further out at aphelion than Ceres.
It takes 4.36 years for one sidereal orbit.
Juno's small size and irregular shape preclude it from being designated a Dwarf Planet.

Tarot card Junon

Mythology

The asteroid is named after the Roman goddess Juno (Greek for Hera). She was one of six children born to Rhea and Kronos (Greek for Saturn). Her brothers were Zeus (Jupiter), Poseidon (Neptune) and Hades (Pluto), her sisters Demeter (Ceres) and Hestia (Vesta). Hera was not only the sister but also the wife of Zeus, the ruling god of Mount Olympus. She was therefore the highest goddess, ruler of the heavens and protector of marriage.

Being at Zeus's side was not an easy task for Hera. On the one hand, she was the only goddess whom Zeus considered to be his equal and took as his wife. On the other hand, Zeus had numerous willing and unwilling lovers of whom Hera was very jealous, and she was mercilessly cruel in her persecution of some of them and the children borne of their affair with Zeus. Among her victims were Heracles and Leto, the mother of the Sun god Apollo. Zeus punished her for her jealousy. Her scheming against Heracles so enraged the ruler of the gods that he hung up his wife from her wrists and weighted her feet with anvils. For the most part, the divine marriage was a battle of wills. At the same time, Hera took her role as protector of marriage very seriously and was faithful to her spouse. She bore Zeus three children, including Aries (Mars), the god of war. Without Zeus's or any other man's help she also gave life to the divine blacksmith Hephaestus (who later became the husband of Aphrodite/ Venus).

Goddess Juno

Interpretation

Juno is associated with relationships, ideals and principles; notably the institution of marriage. The position of Juno and any aspects it makes indicate whether relationships are likely to be characterised by mutual respect or jealousy and mistrust.

Juno embodies high ideals and relentless striving in the face of opposition. It therefore also forces us to confront our innermost attitude to painful relationships. Would we be able to end such a relationship or would we persevere on for the sake of the children, because we fear the reaction of those around us, or possibly because our own relationship ideals are threatened? On the most basic level, Juno is concerned with how individuals translate their relationship ideals and principles into concrete action. When Juno considers ideals to be more important than reality, it can lead to inhumane behavior, regardless of how honourable the initial ideals may have been.

Juno in favourable aspects in synastry is beneficial for long-term romantic relationships. Difficult aspects may encourage jealousy, inter-personal power struggles, or infidelity.

A different way of interpreting Juno is viewing her as kind of a female genius.

Juno seems to be related to the zodiac signs of Libra and Scorpio, due to Libra's association with couples and Scorpio's reputation for jealousy.

Weblinks

• The Asteroids in Astrology (Chris Brennan's Astrology Podcast with Demetra George, Episode 242, 2020; 1h34min)
• Wikipedia: 3 Juno
• Demetra George

Bibliography

• Bloch, Douglas & George, Demetra, Asteroid Goddesses: The Mythology, Psychology, and Astrology of the Re-emerging Feminine, Ibis Press, Lake Worth, FL, 2003