Which celestial bodies are referred to as 'wanderers' in Greek?a)Stars...
Planets
Planets are referred to as 'wanderers' in Greek because of their apparent motion in the night sky. The ancient Greeks noticed that while stars seemed to remain fixed relative to each other, some celestial bodies moved across the sky over time. These moving bodies were called 'planētai,' which means 'wanderers' in Greek.
Reason for the Motion
The motion of planets is a result of their orbits around the Sun. As the Earth and other planets move in their orbits, their positions relative to the background stars change, creating the illusion of wandering across the sky.
Ancient Observations
Ancient astronomers, such as the Greeks, observed the movements of these wanderers and recorded their paths in the night sky. They identified several planets visible to the naked eye, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Importance of Planets
The study of planets has been crucial in understanding the solar system and the universe. Observations of planets have led to significant discoveries about their composition, atmospheres, moons, and interactions with other celestial bodies.
Conclusion
In Greek mythology and astronomy, planets were known as wanderers due to their apparent motion in the night sky. This observation played a significant role in shaping our understanding of the cosmos and continues to inspire scientific exploration today.
Which celestial bodies are referred to as 'wanderers' in Greek?a)Stars...
The word 'planet' comes from the Greek word “Planetai,” which means ‘wanderers’. This name is given because planets move around the sun in their orbits, unlike stars which appear fixed in the night sky.
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