Euphrosyne is asteroid #31 and of the type C or Cb. Euphrosyne was discovered by the American (although born in Scotland) engineer and astronomer James Ferguson, who lived from 1797 until 1867 and worked at the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C. since 1847. Euphrosyne was the first asteroid, that was discovered from North America. Some people see this as a milestone in the history of astronomy, but discoveries from cultures, that are completely independent from European history, are more impressing milestones. Euphrosyne’s orbit is characterized by a semi-major axis of 3.15 Astronomical Units, an eccentricity of 0.23, a period of revolution of 2 042 days, and an inclination of 26.3 degrees. Euphrosyne is, subject to verification by more precise measurements, the seventh-largest and third-roundest of all asteroids of the Asteroid Main Belt. An “asteroid moon”, S/2019 (31) 1, orbiting Euphrosyne, hence also called Euphrosyne I, was discovered in 2019. Euphrosyne’s parameters are important because she is the head and hence namesake of an asteroid-family of about two-thousand carbonaceous asteroids with high inclinations. The asteroid Helio is an interloper in this asteroid-family. (I’m somehow sure that I already published an article on Helio on this blog, but I currently can’t find it.)

Euphrosyne is named after Euphrosýnē (Εὐφροσύνη), one of the Charites (Χάριτες) from Greek mythology. Aglaḯa (Ἀγλαΐα) and Thalía (Θαλία) are her sisters. These three together are the Charites (Χάριτες). They are also called the Gratiae or Graces, but this is Roman mythology then. Thalía (Θαλία) is also called Tháleia (Θάλεια). Both names have the meaning abundance or blooming because they are both derived from thállein (θάλλειν), which means to grow abundantly. Tháleia (Θάλεια) is the goddess of festivity and rich banquets. She shouldn’t be confused with the muse of the same name. The name Aglaḯa (Ἀγλαΐα) means shining or splendor. This sister also is known by alternative names. She is known as Kalḗ (Καλή), which means goodness or beauty. She also is known as Charis (Χάρις), which is translatable as grace, and with this name she is, according to Hesiod or more Ancient Greek Hēsíodos ( Ἡσίοδος), the wife of Hḗphaistos ( Ἥφαιστος), who is represented by asteroid #2212. They have four daughters together. Hḗphaistos ( Ἥφαιστος) usually is the husband of Aphrodítē (Ἀφροδίτη), represented by asteroid #1388. Also according to Hēsíodos ( Ἡσίοδος) are the Charites (Χάριτες) daughters of the Okeanid Eurynómē (Εὐρυνόμη) and Zeús (Ζεύς). Hēsíodos ( Ἡσίοδος) is the eldest and hence most authoritative source on the Charites (Χάριτες). Other sources give alternative parents, including Dionysos (Διόνυσος), Eunomia (Εὐνομία), Helios, Hḗrā ( Ἥρα), and many others. Nýx (Νύξ), the primordial goddess of the dark night, and Erebos, the god of darkness, together are parents of the Charites (Χάριτες) too, but in this case the Charites (Χάριτες) have very many siblings. Aglaḯa (Ἀγλαΐα) is the goddess of splendor and adornment. She also serves as the personal messenger of Aphrodítē (Ἀφροδίτη). All three Charites (Χάριτες) are usually depicted as dancing together in a circle. They all three are part of the entourage of Aphrodítē (Ἀφροδίτη) and they all three have the task to fill the world with pleasant moments and good will.

Euphrosýnē (Εὐφροσύνη) is translatable as joy. Euphrosýnē (Εὐφροσύνη) is the goddess of joy and mirth. Euphrosýnē (Εὐφροσύνη) also is known by the names Euthymia (Εὐθυμία) and Eutychia (Εὐτυχία). The ancient Greek poet Aristophánēs (Ἀριστοφάνης) replaces Euphrosýnē (Εὐφροσύνη) with Peithṓ (Πειθώ), by the ancient Romans called Suada or Suadela. She is the goddess of persuasion. Peithṓ (Πειθώ) got an asteroid (#118) too. The asteroid Euphrosyne can only represent joy and mirth.