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Galaxy in the constellation Pegasus.
Although the same night sky illuminates us all (depending on our exact location), every culture has developed its own terminology to describe celestial phenomena, and the ancient Greeks, with their keen powers of observation, were no exception. There was no.
In particular, the Greek word “astēr,” meaning “star,” is a useful source for many English vocabulary words related to celestial bodies.
Most obviously, we have “astronomy” and “astrology”. For us today, these are two very different (even mutually antagonistic) disciplines. However, the ancient Greek words “astronomy” and “astrology” originally meant the same thing; This means what we now understand as scientific “astronomy.”
The “-nomia” part suggests an organized system of fixed laws (natural or human), and the “-logia” refers to a rational explanation or explanation of some phenomenon.
It was only much later that the term “astrology” came to refer specifically to our belief in “astrology,” the mystical influence of the stars on human destiny. Modern astronomers would never classify it as a “rational explanation” for stars.
“Astēr” is more subtly present in the English word “planet.” This is an abbreviation of the Greek word “planētes asteres”, literally “wandering stars”, referring to the apparently irregular, zigzag movements of Mars and Venus as seen from Earth. , which is different from the star’s primary mass, which remains fixed to the Earth. Night sky (relative to each other).
Another variant is “komētēs astēr”, “long-haired star”, or “comet”, named for its impression that “the flames fly like hair, as if long hair were cascading down from someone’s head” (by the Roman astronomer) (by the poet Manilius).
Because of their striking appearance and (seemingly) random occurrence, comets were often feared in ancient times as harbingers of disaster.
However, many ancient thinkers, in the true spirit of “astronomy”, sought to understand this phenomenon rationally and systematically, that is, scientifically. After considering various theories, the Roman philosopher Seneca concluded that, based on the available evidence, a complete explanation of comets was not yet possible.
Nevertheless, he maintained his belief in the advancement of human knowledge. Even after our memories fade, many things are preserved for the next generation. The universe is insignificant unless it contains something new to discover at every epoch. ”
And Seneca was right. Two thousand years later, we no longer need to fear comets as mysterious and unpredictable harbingers of doom. In fact, this year she can know for sure that on December 9, Halley’s Comet will reach its “aphelion”, the farthest point from the Sun.
I was just a kid when Halley’s Comet last appeared in 1986. By the time Halley’s Comet returns to our solar system in 2061, I will have joined Seneca among the dead of the silent majority.
But stars shine whether they have “long hair”, whether they are fixed or “wandering”. And beyond our tiny individual lifespans, the great adventure of human discovery continues.
Oscar Wilde said: “We’re all in the gutter, but some of us are stargazing.”
‘Odyssey of English’ is a regular series examining the origins of Greek and Latin words and is part of Massey University’s Classics Program’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Jonathan Tracey is a Lecturer in the Classical Studies Program at Massey University.