According to my History Channel Page-A-Day calendar, Uranus was discovered this date in 1781 by German astronomer William Herschel. He originally named it Georgium Sidus (Latin for “Georgian Planet”) in honor of King George III; however another German astronomer, Johann Bode, renamed the planet “Uranus” and that name has kept grade-school children giggling ever since.
It is believed this planet lets out strange gases and has stench beyond description. Others believe it truly belongs in the heavens.
And it is also believed in Mythology Uranus was popular among the GREEK Gods (sorry folks! They just keep coming!)
Above is a sketch that William Herchel made of the planet, or maybe it is of Johann Bode, or maybe it is of King George III.
6 comments:
In my physics class, I used to show a PBS series on topics we were covering. It showed the planets in order. Everytime it got to Uranus, we got to the great old jokes about "rings around Uranus", "send a probe to Uranus", etc. Thanks to Herschel for enabling this.
Si,
They should discuss the planets in Creative Art Class or something - some of it sure brings out the creativity of people.
I am surprised that Uranus emits noxious gases, Eddie. LOL
One of my favorite books is:
Your Moon Is in Aquarius but Your Head Is in Uranus
Judy,
It omits those gases in loud blasts and then other times they just secretly seep out.
Wheezer,
Well, we don't have Pluto to pick on anymore. It never was.
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