Romance Among the Stars

Long before people had books, television, or movies, they used the stars to illustrate and teach their cherished myths and stories. Cultures throughout the world had different constellation images based on their legends. While these legends are as varied as the people who told them, many have universal themes: the battle between good and evil, morality lessons, and love stories.
 

Constellation map by Jonannes Hevelius, 1690. Click image for detail! Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons

I have told a few constellation love stories on this blog. The Greek tale of Perseus and Andromeda is illustrated in the stars, as is the Chinese legend of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd. Did you know that there is a love story involving two planets currently visible in our evening sky, Venus and Mars? 

Venus and Mars are visible shortly after sunset in the west. Venus will be super bright, and Mars will be noticeable by its orangish color. Image Credit: Stellarium

Venus was named for the Roman goddess of beauty, love, fertility, prosperity, and desire. Mars was named after the Roman god of war and agriculture. According to one version of the tale, Venus was married to Vulcan, the god of fire, but fell in love with Mars.

Mars and Venus Surprised by Vulcan, Alexandre C. Guillemot, 1827

She had many children with Mars, including Phobos (fear) and Deimos (terror), for which Mars' moons are named. These moons might be captured asteroids.

Deimos, imaged by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Image Credit: NASA/JPL-caltech/University of Arizona

Phobos, by MRO. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

Mars and Venus often appear close together in our sky, perhaps why the Romans named these "wandering stars" after lovers. The two planets appear very close together in the next few weeks - I'll post about what to look for next week! 

If you would like to hear more romantic stories illustrated in the starry sky, join us at the Dome Planetarium for Romance Under the Stars! I will show you how to find bright constellations and will share some of the most romantic stories in the stars. Then we will jump out into space to visit some of the most breathtaking sights in the Universe! Find all the information here.