Uranus - History

History

Its most common name is after the ancient Greek deity of the sky Uranus (Ancient Greek: Οὐρανός), the father of Cronus (Saturn) and grandfather of Zeus (Jupiter). Though it is visible to the naked eye like the five classical planets, it was never recognized as a planet by ancient observers because of its dimness and slow orbit. Sir William Herschel announced its discovery on March 13, 1781, expanding the known boundaries of the Solar System for the first time in modern history. Uranus was also the first planet discovered with a telescope.

Read more about this topic:  Uranus

Famous quotes containing the word history:

    I saw the Arab map.
    It resembled a mare shuffling on,
    dragging its history like saddlebags,
    nearing its tomb and the pitch of hell.
    Adonis [Ali Ahmed Said] (b. 1930)

    The one duty we owe to history is to rewrite it.
    Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)

    Social history might be defined negatively as the history of a people with the politics left out.
    —G.M. (George Macaulay)