William Herschel did not name the planet Uranus; he called it Georgium Sidus, which translates to "the Georgian Planet."
Herschel's Discovery and His Chosen Name
When astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet on March 13, 1781, he initially proposed the name "Georgium Sidus" (Latin for "George's Star" or "Georgian Planet"). This name was chosen to honor King George III of England, who was Herschel's patron.
- Discoverer: William Herschel
- Original Name Proposed: Georgium Sidus
- Reason for Name: To honor King George III, the reigning monarch and Herschel's benefactor.
The Transition to "Uranus"
Despite Herschel's proposal, the name "Georgium Sidus" did not gain widespread international acceptance among astronomers. The practice of naming planets after figures from Roman and Greek mythology was already established, with planets like Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn bearing classical names.
| Proposed Name | Proposer | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Georgium Sidus | William Herschel | To honor King George III of England |
| Uranus | Johann Elert Bode | To conform with classical mythology |
The name "Uranus" was first proposed by German astronomer Johann Elert Bode. Bode suggested this name to maintain consistency with the mythological naming convention used for the other known planets. Uranus, in Greek mythology, is the primordial god of the sky and father of Saturn (Cronus), who in turn is the father of Jupiter (Zeus). This lineage fit well with the planet's orbital position beyond Saturn. Over time, Bode's proposal gained international traction, leading to the universal adoption of "Uranus" as the planet's official name.
