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How did the word ‘planet’ gets its name?
How did the word ‘planet’ gets its name?
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The word “planet” has its origins in ancient Greek. The Greeks observed celestial objects in the night sky and noticed that some objects moved independently of the fixed stars. They called these objects “asteres planetai,” which translates to “wandering stars.” The term “planetai” is derived from the Greek word “planēs,” meaning “wanderer.”
The concept of planets as distinct celestial bodies separate from the fixed stars was further developed by the ancient Greeks and later by other civilizations, such as the Romans. The Romans adopted the term “planetai” from the Greeks and Latinized it to “planeta.” Over time, the word evolved in various languages and eventually became “planet” in English.
Today, the term “planet” refers to a celestial body that orbits a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of other debris. In our solar system, there are eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
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