Who is Mercury named after?

Who is Mercury named after?

Mercury is one of the five classical planets visible with the naked eye and is named after the swift-footed Roman messenger god. It is not known exactly when the planet was first discovered – although it was first observed through telescopes in the seventeenth century by astronomers Galileo Galilei and Thomas Harriot.

Who was the god Mercury?

Mercury, Latin Mercurius, in Roman religion, god of shopkeepers and merchants, travelers and transporters of goods, and thieves and tricksters. He is commonly identified with the Greek Hermes, the fleet-footed messenger of the gods.

Which Roman god is Mercury named after?

Roman messenger god Mercury
The Romans knew of seven bright objects in the sky: the Sun, the Moon, and the five brightest planets. They named them after their most important gods. Because Mercury was the fastest planet as it moved around the Sun, it was named after the Roman messenger god Mercury. Mercury was also the god of travelers.

Why is Mercury named after Roman god?

The Romans believed that gods and goddesses were in charge of everything on Earth. Mercury is named after the messenger for their gods. The planet Mercury moves quickly around the sun. That is how it got its name.

Why is Mercury famous?

Mercury is the smallest and fastest planet in the solar system. It is also the closest planet to the sun. It is named after the Roman messenger god Mercury, the fastest Roman god. The planet Mercury was known by ancient people thousands of years ago.

Who was Mercury’s wife?

Mary Austin