Quck answer
The planets in our solar system got their names from a variety of sources. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were named after ancient Roman gods. Uranus was named after the Greek god of the sky. Neptune was named after the Roman god of the sea. Earth is the only planet not named after a god. Instead, it comes from the Old English word “ertha,” meaning ground or soil. The dwarf planet Pluto was named by an 11-year-old girl, inspired by the god of the underworld. Overall, the names of the planets have rich origins in mythology and ancient languages.
Have you ever gazed at the night sky? Can you locate the Big Dipper? What about Orion? If you observe carefully, you can see more than just stars at night. You will also notice the Moon, unless it’s a New Moon! Additionally, you might spot comets or shooting stars. By looking in the right places, you may even catch a glimpse of a few planets.
No telescope? Not a problem! The five planets closest to Earth are visible to the naked eye. In fact, people have been gazing at Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn for thousands of years.
The ancient Romans were highly interested in Earth’s neighboring planets. They observed that each planet possessed distinct characteristics. They even studied the movements of the planets. This is how the Romans bestowed names upon the planets.
Are you familiar with Roman mythology? It consists of the beliefs held by Romans about the world. It encompasses stories about the creation of the world and the actions of gods.
The Romans named the planets after their gods. Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun, has the shortest orbit. Since it appeared to move faster than the other planets, the Romans named it after the god associated with message delivery.
Venus shines the brightest in the night sky. That’s why the Romans named it after their goddess of love and beauty. Mars was named after the Roman god of war. This is due to its reddish color, earning it the nickname “Red Planet!”
Jupiter, located on the other side of the asteroid belt, is the largest planet in the solar system. The Romans named it after the king of their gods. They named the ringed planet Saturn after Jupiter’s father.
These names endured, and the practice of naming celestial objects after mythological stories became popular as well. When William Herschel discovered Uranus in 1781, he wanted to name it after the English king, George III. However, it was decided to name it Uranus, derived from Ouranos, the Greek god of the sky and Saturn’s father.
Decades later, Johann Galle discovered the eighth planet. He intended to name it after the astronomer Urbain Le Verrier. However, due to its blue hue, astronomers named it Neptune after the Roman god of the sea.
When there was still a ninth planet, Pluto was named after the Roman god of the underworld. This was fitting since Pluto is the farthest planet from the Sun. Nowadays, Pluto is classified as a dwarf planet.
So, who has the authority to name planets now? Since 1919, an organization called the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has held that responsibility. However, most scientists believe that all the planets in our solar system have been discovered. The IAU now focuses on naming newly discovered moons, surface features, asteroids, and comets.
Typically, the IAU continues to use mythology as inspiration for naming new celestial objects. For instance, the moons of Jupiter are named after characters from the stories of Zeus, Jupiter’s Greek equivalent. Similarly, the moons of Pluto bear names of other characters from the mythological underworld.
What about our home planet, Earth? You won’t find any Greek or Roman gods with that name! Instead, “Earth” originated from Old English and Germanic words meaning “ground.” Quite fitting, don’t you think?
Do you want to contribute to naming the next asteroid found in space? You’re in luck! The IAU does accept suggestions. So, brush up on your knowledge of mythology and submit your best ideas to them! What will you decide on?
Give it a Try
Are you prepared to keep exploring? Seek assistance from an adult friend or family member for these activities!
- Imagine that you have discovered a new planet. What name would you like to give it? Write a letter persuading the IAU to choose the name you have selected. Make sure to provide at least three reasons why they should select that name.
- Take a look at this map of the solar system. What did you learn about the planets? How about the dwarf planets? And the Sun? Write a paragraph explaining the most fascinating facts you discovered.
- Learn more about Roman mythology. Then, discuss what you have learned with a friend or family member. Did you recognize any names of gods or goddesses? What aspects of the Romans’ beliefs did you find intriguing?
Sources of Wonder
- https://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question48.html (accessed 04 June 2019)
- http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/physics/56-our-solar-system/planets-and-dwarf-planets/general-questions/228-who-named-the-planets-and-who-decides-what-to-name-them-beginner (accessed 04 June 2019)
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/10/17/dear-science-how-did-the-planets-get-their-names/?utm_term=.3c40fe456bab (accessed 04 June 2019)
- https://www.history.com/news/who-named-the-planets (accessed 04 June 2019)
- https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Planets (accessed 04 June 2019)
FAQ
1. How were the planets named?
The names of the planets in our solar system were derived from various sources. The majority of them were named after Roman gods and goddesses. For example, Mercury was named after the Roman god of speed, Venus after the goddess of love and beauty, and Mars after the god of war. Other planets, such as Earth, were named based on their characteristics or translations from different languages.
2. Are there any exceptions to the naming pattern?
Yes, there are a few exceptions to the naming pattern. Uranus, for instance, was named after the Greek god of the sky rather than a Roman deity. Neptune, the farthest planet from the Sun, was named after the Roman god of the sea. The dwarf planet Pluto, which was once considered the ninth planet, was named after the Roman god of the underworld.
3. Who decided on the names of the planets?
The names of the planets were mainly decided by astronomers and scientists who discovered or studied them. In the case of the classical planets visible to the naked eye, ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans assigned names based on their mythologies and beliefs. As our understanding of the solar system grew, astronomers from different countries and organizations collaborated to establish official names for newly discovered planets.
4. Are there any plans to change the names of the planets?
As of now, there are no official plans to change the names of the planets in our solar system. However, there have been discussions and proposals to rename certain celestial bodies. For example, there have been debates about reclassifying Pluto as a planet again and renaming it. These discussions are ongoing and involve scientific communities and organizations.
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