Indeed , the discovery of Astrea proved to be the starting point for the eventual demotion of the four original asteroids ( which were regarded as planets at the time ) to their current status , as it became apparent that these four were only the biggest of a whole new type of celestial body . Indeed , the discovery of Astraea proved to be the starting point for the eventual demotion of the four original asteroids ( which were regarded as planets at the time ) to their current status , as it became apparent that these four were only the largest of a whole new type of celestial body .