01. How did Mercury get its name? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

The ancient Sumerians originally named Mercury Ubu-Idim-gud-ud. The ancient Greeks, thinking it was actually two different planets, called it Hermes when in the evening sky and Apollo when in the morning sky. Finally, the Romans named the planet after Mercury, the Roman god of trade, commerce, and most importantly, swiftness.

---

Answer provided by Laura Peckyno & Robert Peckyno

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

Buy This Book Click here