Who Discovered Uranus? [ March 13th, 1781 ]

Universe Today ^ | April 16, 2017 | Matt Williams

[SunkenCiv]

The first recorded instance of Uranus being spotted in the night sky is believed to date back to Classical Antiquity. During the 2nd century BCE, Hipparchos - the Greek astronomer, mathematician and founder of trigonometry - apparently recorded the planet as a star in his star catalogue (completed in 129 BCE). This catalog was later incorporated into Ptolemy's Almagest, which became the definitive source for Islamic astronomers and for scholars in Medieval Europe for over one-thousand years... This included English astronomer John Flamsteed, who in 1690 observed the star on six occasions and catalogued it as a star in the Taurus constellation (34 Tauri). During the mid-18th century, French astronomer Pierre Lemonnier made twelve recorded sightings, and also recorded it as being a star... While Herschel would continue to maintain that what he observed was a comet, his "discovery" stimulated debate in the astronomical community about what Uranus was. In time, astronomers like Johann Elert Bode would conclude that it was a planet, based on its nearly-circular orbit. By 1783, Herschel himself acknowledged that it was a planet to the Royal Society... As he lived in England, Herschel originally wanted to name Uranus after his patron, King George III. Specifically, he wanted to call it Georgium Sidus (Latin for "George's Star"), or the Georgian Planet. Although this was a popular name in Britain, the international astronomy community didn't think much of it, and wanted to follow the historical precedent of naming the planets after ancient Greek and Roman gods. Consistent with this, Bode proposed the name Uranus in a 1782 treatise.

[airdalechief]

Thanks for a morning laugh. I have two cats and the wife has some cukes.

[Paul R.]

Yes, but (seriously), in Greek does the 2nd syllable in this case contain a long or short vowel?

I disagree with the linked vid about life on such a planet — it’d most likely occur, if it does, in a water ocean well under the surface.

Slightly OT: An interesting question is whether intelligent life (think Star Trek 4) could evolve in such an ocean. Sure, dolphins & such are quite smart, but, they developed from land animals who may have been fairly bright themselves. Having had to deal with raccoons occasionally... Those little varmints are darn smart. I keep wondering what could be developed if they were bred aggressively for size, longevity, and brain capacity. Then again, we might not want the competition! (Good sci-fi story basis?)

[Fiji Hill]

The first recorded instance of Uranus being spotted in the night sky is believed to date back to Classical Antiquity. During the 2nd century BCE BC, Hipparchos - the Greek astronomer, mathematician and founder of trigonometry - apparently recorded the planet as a star in his star catalogue (completed in 129 BCE BC)....

FIFY!

[Fiji Hill]

When I see BCE I stop reading.

Amen!

Just say no to Christophobia.

[BenLurkin]

http://www.lerctr.org/~transit/healy/monkeys.wav

[Delta 21]

Both hands, a map and a flashlight may be needed.........

[Verginius Rufus]

Actually the Greek name, Ouranos, is accented on the last syllable.

[left that other site]

Steve Harvey and Neil DeGrasse Tyson Feud over Uranus:

https://www.littlethings.com/family-feud-neil-degrasse-tyson/

I saw it live as it happened. Ha Ha Ha

[bert]

Nancy Pelosi can’t find her’s with both hands and a mirror

[minnesota_bound]

Many politicians and hanger on’s in medieval times had their heads up their Uranus. Herschel gave it the name but had to pretend it was for a planet he discovered....