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Question 14

4 pts
Why did early astronomers incorrectly
presume that the planet we know as Venus was
two different bodies they called "Phosphorus"
and "Hesperus"?

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer: The Greek astronomers thought they were looking at two different planets. Phosphorus was the"bringer of light" when it appeared as the morning star. Hesperus brought good things home as darkness arrived when it appeared as the evening star. The astronomers were influenced by their beliefs in the gods and goddesses and associated the celestial bodies with the various deities.

Explanation: Actually Phosphorus is the planet Venus when it appears as the morning star. Hesperus is the planet Venus when it appears as the evening star. Babylonian astronomers had recognized the single planet; Greek astronomers later adopted this concept. Aphrodite was the Greek goddess associated with the planet later named for her Roman counterpart, Venus.

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