Phobos- Chariot Horse Of Mars
Many bodies in the Milky Way Galaxy are named after different mythological gods and goddesses, some from Greek mythology and some from Roman mythology. This webpage will focus on the Greek origins of these names.
Some places with Greek originated names are Phobos, Eros, Ida, Linus, and many more bodies are named after these mythological lords. Here are some of the origins of these bodies based on Greek mythology.
Some examples would be Phobos that was named for one of the horses that drew Mars’ chariot, Eros who was named for the Greek god of love, Praxidike was the goddess of punishment, Aegaeon is a hundred-armed giant, Uranus was named for the Greek deity of the sky, Naiads were water nymphs that protect lakes, river, etc., Jupiter who was named after Zeus because of its overwhelming size, and many, many more.
Some places with Greek originated names are Phobos, Eros, Ida, Linus, and many more bodies are named after these mythological lords. Here are some of the origins of these bodies based on Greek mythology.
Some examples would be Phobos that was named for one of the horses that drew Mars’ chariot, Eros who was named for the Greek god of love, Praxidike was the goddess of punishment, Aegaeon is a hundred-armed giant, Uranus was named for the Greek deity of the sky, Naiads were water nymphs that protect lakes, river, etc., Jupiter who was named after Zeus because of its overwhelming size, and many, many more.
Jupiter- Zeus
These are just some of the thousands of examples of bodies in our solar system named after Greek mythology. The names are of the thousands, many bodies in of which are named after many of the Muses or, Zeus’ daughters.
Obviously Greek mythology has highly impacted our choice in Intergalactic naming. Although Roman mythology has also highly impacted it as well. Why these names are chosen, we have no idea. Most people say it is because of the planets features which would the most likely conclusion.
Obviously Greek mythology has highly impacted our choice in Intergalactic naming. Although Roman mythology has also highly impacted it as well. Why these names are chosen, we have no idea. Most people say it is because of the planets features which would the most likely conclusion.
Giambattista Riccioli (Below)
Giamblattista Riccioli, a Jesuit priest, created many of the Solar names we use today. He named many major craters after commonly recognized people. He was the reason the International Astronomical Union, (IAU) founded in 1919, created a solar naming system. The IAU took an existing group of solar names and added new designations to them. Although this naming system has been used for many years it is still in what you might call a “disarray.”
Giovanni V. Schiaparelli (Below)
Giovanni V. Schiaparelli, an Italian astronomer, charted the bright and dark contrasts of the planets. When he charted these planets he gave them names most commonly known from Greek mythology. Over the years these names have been doubted and accepted by many but one man by the name of Eugene M. Antoniadi, a worker in France, expanded on Schiaparelli’s work. The maps of these two great men were over-viewed by the IAU at their meeting in Moscow during the year of 1958. At this meeting over 100 names were added to the maps.
Bibliography
Kross, John F. "What's in a Name?." Sky & Telescope. May 1995: 28-33. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 29 Jan 2013.
http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Planets
http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Planets