February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

It’s hard to figure out the logic behind the naming of the planets in our solar system. They represent – quite randomly – four generations of gods. We have two primordial ones: earth (or Gaia) and her spouse Ouranos. Then their son, Saturn (or Kronos). Also second generation is Venus (or Aphrodite), as she sprung directly from the male parts of Ouranos. (Let’s skip the how for now.) Jupiter (or Zeus) and his brothers Neptune (or Poseidon) and Pluto (or Hades) make up for the third generation, the Olympians. Although Pluto was stripped from his planet, just like he was stripped from his Olympian seat. No planet for their sisters, Hestia or Demeter. Instead, there’s a jump to some offspring: Mars (or Ares), which could be acceptable, as Zeus’ legitimate son. But why Mercury, and neither Artemis, Apollo nor Athena? And even more incomprehensible: where is Juno (or Hera)? Not only Zeus’ sister, but also his wife and supreme goddess. Allow me to make a suggestion: how about Junopiter? Surely that planet is big enough for both!