In June 1801, Zach, an astronomer whom Gauss had come to know two or three years previously, published the orbital positions of Ceres, a new "small planet" which was discovered by G Piazzi, an Italian astronomer on 1 January, 1801. Unfortunately, Piazzi had only been able to observe 9 degrees of its orbit before it disappeared behind the Sun. Zach published several predictions of its position, including one by Gauss which differed greatly from the others.
Sa Hunyo 1801, Zach, isang astronomer kanino gauss may dumating na kung dalawa o tatlong taon na dati, nai-publish na ang orbital posisyon ng Ceres, isang bagong "maliit na planeta" na kung saan ay natuklasan sa pamamagitan ng G Piazzi, isang Italyano astronomer sa Enero 1, 1801. Sa kasamaang palad, Piazzi had lamang ay makapag-obserba 9 degree ng kanyang orbita bago ito nawala sa likod ng Linggo. Zach-publish ng ilang mga paghuhula ng kanyang posisyon, kasama na ang isa sa pamamagitan ng gauss na differed malaki mula sa iba.