- NEPTUNE
- Roman: Neptune
- Greek: Galatea
- NEARBY PLANETS
- Roman: Atlas
- Greek: Pan
- Hindu: Sani
- Greek: Cronus
- Greek: Uranus
- Roman: Pluto
Myths about Neptune and its Moons
Neptune, which was discovered in 1846, was unknown in ancient times. Astronomers decided to continue the practice of naming planets after deities in Greek and Roman mythology, so named this new planet after the Roman god Neptune (Greek Poseidon). Neptune was the god of the waters and was a son of Chronos and a brother of Jupiter (Zeus) and of Pluto (Hades).
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Explore Myths about Neptune and its Moons
Roman: Neptune
Neptune was the name that ancient Romans gave to the Greek god of the sea and earthquakes, ...Read more
Greek: Galatea
Galatea, whose name means "milk-white," was a sea nymph, one of the Nereids, who lived in the ...Read moreExplore Myths about other nearby planets
Roman: Atlas
In Roman mythology, the giant Atlas was the leader of the Titans who fought against the gods, ...Read more
Greek: Pan
Pan is the Greek god of wild nature. He protected shepherds, sheep, and goats. Pan's name is ...Read more
Hindu: Sani
In Hindu mythology, Sani is identified with the inauspicious planet Saturn and its Regent, ...Read more
Greek: Cronus
In Greek mythology, Cronus was the son of Uranus and Gaea.He lead his brothers and sisters, ...Read more
Greek: Uranus
Uranus, which was discovered by William Herschel in 1781, was unknown in ancient times. Astronomers ...Read more
Roman: Pluto
Following the defeat of the Titans by the Jovian gods, Pluto obtained the kingdom of the underworld. ...Read moreHistorical Events
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Research Highlights
Silver Tells a Story of Early Earth: Water Here Since Planet's Very Early Days
Tiny variations in the isotopic composition of silver in meteorites and Earth rocks are helping scientists put together a timetable of how our planet was assembled, beginning 4.568 billion years ago. Results...Read more
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