Chapter 8 Words in Astronomy
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The names of eight planets in our solar systems
As we know, ancient Greek is one of the world’s four ancient civilizations with a long history and culture origin. The ancient Greece ranged from today’s western coast of Asia Minor to the eastern Mediterranean island. Ancient Greeks, inspired by Oriental culture, created a splendid ancient Greek culture. Taking shape around the 8thcentury B.C., the ancient Greek mythology is the treasure in world literature and has exerted great influence on religion, art, language and astronomy, etc.
The eight planets in our solar system except the earth we live in are all named after the major gods in Greco-Roman mythology. They are listed from the near to the distant against the sun:Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. There are some other minor planets such as Apollo, Ceres, Clio, Cynosure, Cynthia, Hyades, Vesta, Adonis, Psyche and Pallas.
In 1781, a German-born English astronomer, William Herschel, discovered a new planet more distant than any that were known before. Until that date, all the planets that were known were bright objects in the sky that were easily seen and had been recognized in prehistoric times. The new planet was a very faint object, however, barely visible to the naked eye. Herschel wanted to call the new planet "George’s Star" after George Ill, who was then King of England. Other astronomers suggested it be named "Herschel" after the discoverer. Neither suggestion was adopted. All the other planets been named after ancient god and goddess and the custom was kept. The new planet was named Uranus at the suggestion of a German astronomer named Johann Bode.
The sixth planet is also the farthest planet from the sun of all the planets known to the Greeks. The sun’s gravitation is weak at that distance and the sixth planet moves more slowly than any other planet the Greeks knew. With such a slow and majestic movement, it has seemed to the Greeks that it ought to be symbolized by an old, old god. “Cronus” seemed the natural choice. The Roman naturally called the planet “Saturn” and that is the name that has down to us.
The Greeks named the fifth planet after Zeus. This was a logical choice because the fifth planet was brightest except for the evening and morning stars. The evening star, however, only appeared for a few hours after sunset and the morning star only for a few hours before dawn, while the fifth planet often shines the whole night through. The Roman, of course, used their own version of the name and it is as “Jupiter” that the planet known to us.
In 1846, two astronomers, Britain’s John Couch Adams and France’s Urbain Le Verrier discovered the eighth planet. It was named “Neptune”, not for any particular reasons, but because Neptune was one important god who lacked a planet.
Venus is one goddess whose name given to an important planet. This is the planet commonly called the “evening star” or the “morning star” (depending on which side of the sun it happens to be). It is the brightest and most beautiful object in the heavens next to the sun and moon, and is far brighter than any star.
Now all of the planets in the sky, the one that moves most quickly against the background of the stars was naturally named after the swift-footed Hermes. The Roman identified their own god of commerce, Mercury, with Hermes, and so we know that planet as “Mercury”.
The Roman identified their god of war, Mars, with Ares, so we know the planet as “Mars”. This planet was named after the god of war because its reddish color reminded people of blood.
In this video, we discussed the names of the eight planets and trace how they got their names in history. We will share with you more information about lexicology. Stay tuned!
