Is anyone into Astronomy? I know I am. There are alot of things that we do that are based on astronomy. We just don't know it. Here is a real and true example-
The anciet people always studied the sky. They knew the sky and the patterns of the stars like the back of their hand. Every star moves along the sky in the same pattern every year, and the ancient people knew that. But every once and a while there would be 5 stars that didn't move across the sky like the other stars. Those 5 stars were also alot brighter then the other stars. The ancient people didn't know how to explain these 5 bright stars that didn't follow the same pattern as the other stars. So the said that the 5 stars were gods. They also gave those 5 stars a name. They called those 5 stars 'wandering stars' or as we call them today, 'lanets' 5 of the planets in our solar system are visable in the night sky from earth, (mercury, veanus, mars, jupiter, and saturn). The ancient people knew nothing about planets, so they decided the 5 planets were Gods, because the planets are not only bright, but they don't follow the pattern that all of the stars do.
It might be hard to belive, but it is true. The fact that we can see planets at night is also true. Go outside any day that it isn't overcast between now and mid-march. There will be a super bright star. It will be over 3 times brighter then any other star in the sky. That super bright star is actually a planet, Veanus. It is so bright not only because it is so close to us, but also because of its color. Grab a decent pair of binoculars, and you will be able to see a yellow-orange color. That is The color of the immense clouds that are on Veanus.
Here is a good example on how things that we don't even think about are based on astronomy-
Have you ever wondered why we have 7 days? It the 7 days are for the 5 planets the ancient people could see, the sun, and the moon. Monday is lunes in spanish. (pronounced lunase) Lunes is the day for the moon. Tuesday is martes in spanish. Martes is the day for Mars. Wednesday is miercoles in spanish. (pronounced mear-e-coles) Miercoles Is the day for Mercury. Thursday is jueves in spanish. Jueves Is the day for Jupiter. Friday is viernes in spanish. Viernes is the day for Veanus. Saturday is sabado in spanish. Sabado is the day for Saturn. Sunday is domingo in spanish. Domingo is the day for the sun.
So there you have it- 2 great examples on how Astronomy has shaped our lives in ways that we don't even think about. If we could see 6 planets in the sky, then we would have an 8 day week!
The days are named after Gods, not the stars, and if I remember correctly, the stars are named after the gods as well, not the oter way around. Though some might be named after the sun and the moon, let me give and example: Torsdag(Thursday) is the day of Tor, the god of tunder in the norse mythology.
But yeah, astrology is cool enough, the images look okay and stuff.
I really like astronomy. from a very young age I would love to look at the stars and wonder. What are they, Whya re they there? Can I get there one day? (very unlikely even Proxima Centauri in ridiculouly far away)
"I've been getting into astronomy; the people who live above me are furious" Steven Wright.
My 8th grade teacher and various Astronomy books. Plus, I know alot thanks to my meade telescope.
The days are named after Gods, not the stars, and if I remember correctly, the stars are named after the gods as well, not the oter way around.
At least for Spanish, they are. And I said they were named after the planets, not the stars...
Though some might be named after the sun and the moon, let me give and example: Torsdag(Thursday) is the day of Tor, the god of tunder in the norse mythology.
I was using the Spanish belif for my example. Also thursday is named after Jupiter in Spanish. Jupiter was also considered the king of the Gods. Mabey Thor (the god of thunder) and the King of Gods share some relation. However, that is just an opinion. Bottom line is- Each culture has their own belifs and ways of doing things, and I happened to use Spanish as my example.
But yeah, astrology is cool enough, the images look okay and stuff.
Actually, Astology is based on myth, therefor there are no pictues take from Astology, because Astology cannot be proven. I think the term you were looking for was Astronmy. Astronmy is the real deal. Pictures actually taken, the study of space, and true facts is what defines Astronmy.
Exactly. Both are named for Gods. But I am as sure as I can be that the 7 days are for the 5 visable planets, the sun, and the moon. As for what Cenere said, the 7 gods for each day were named for the 5 visible planets, the sun, and the moon.
And I said they were named after the planets, not the stars...
I know, I made an error...
I wonder.. Helios = the sun. I never knew Spain had the roman gods as well. But, if I think about it, it seem okay.. Uranus and Neptun was named in newer time, but in same theme as the rest. The same with Pluto and a huge amount of the moons.
Is Helios were we get helium from? I think it was first discovered on the sun.
Strange that Uranus was originally named after George II rather than the father of Saturn (even if you do have to mix Greek and Roamn mythology to get there). At least calling it "Georgium Sidus" would prevent bad jokes from science teachers.
You should, it's really fun... I can see Saturn's rings, and faint traces of the Great Red spot on Jupiter with my little meade telesope. Its also really fun to look at star clusters and nebulaa/supernovs/planatary nebulas.
Thats too bad... It's a real wonder what out there. It's hard to get your mind around it, but when you think about what the stars and planets are, and what the galaxys are, then I'm sure you won't get bored for a while.
