Astronomy/Uranus

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Expert: - 3/12/2006


Question
Hello Tom.
Tomorrow (13 March) is the anniversary of the discovery of the planet Uranus by Sir William Herschel. He named it Georgium Sidus in honour of King George III. When was it renamed Uranus ?
Thanks

Answer
Hello Mark,
I believe it was around 1820 (or thereabouts) that the cartographer Johann E. Bode changed the name from Georgium Sidus to Uranus.
Evidently he thought that it was best to retain the system
of continuing to name planets after mythological gods' names.  (A Good Idea)!
And since he was the guy drawing the charts of the time,
his decision was widely and rapidly accepted.
This was not unprecedented....Galileo in the early 1600's, if you recall, tried to name his 4 Galilean Satellites of Jupiter after his patron, calling them the Medici stars.  So even Galileo was over-ridden by the astronomical community of the day.

Today, we don't have that problem.
With the universal adoption of the IAU (International Astronomical Union) in 1919, that body has the sole authority to name anything and everything  (Comets excepted, with their permission), even land features on planets.  Today, a discoverer has an input, but the IAU has .....the Final Word!
Hope all this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA

PS..never purchase a "star name" as it's all fake and fraudulent....we in astronomy only recognize names decided on by the IAU, and no one else.


FOLLOW UP:
Opps...forgot to give you the website to read:
http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/Bios/bode.html

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Tom Whiting

Expertise

Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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