Ancient astronomical names

It is recorded in Historical Records Tianguanshu: "There are five stars in the sky and five elements on the ground." Therefore, the "five elements" with five stars are the names of water, gold, fire, wood and earth that are still in use today. Because these five planets cross evenly in the sky, similar to latitude, they are collectively called "five latitudes". "Five latitudes" and "five stars" are also called "five obsidians".

1, Shuiyao

Mercury, called "Chen Xing" in ancient times. It is the closest planet to the sun in the solar system. When observing "Mercury" from the earth, it usually appears on both sides of the sun, and the distance from the sun is always kept within 30 degrees.

The "degree" here is an ancient unit in China, and about 30 degrees is an "old". There is a saying of "Twelve Chens" in the 21st Century of New Tang Dynasty, so Mercury was named "Chen Xing" according to the movement distance.

"Mercury" is difficult to observe with naked eyes, because "Mercury" has the smallest orbital radius. It is an inner planet and usually crosses the sky with the sun. The strong light of the sun eclipses "Mercury", and it can be successfully observed with the naked eye for only a few days every year.

2. Jin Yao

Venus, called "Taibai" in ancient times. Because its reflected light is bright white, it is the brightest one on the planet. Its silvery white light is more dazzling than the light blue Sirius at its brightest.

The Book of Songs includes Xiaoya and Gu Feng's Zhi Da Dong; "There is Qi Ming in the east and Chang Gung Memorial in the west." Qi Ming and Chang Gung Memorial here seem to be two different stars. In fact, they are all "Venus". What is visible before sunrise is called "Qi Ming", and what is visible after sunset is called "Chang Gung".

3, fire obsidian

Mars, known as Ying in ancient times. Because the soil and rocks on the surface of "Mars" are red, its reflected light is light fire red, similar to fluorescence; In addition, "Mars" is the first extraterrestrial planet, and its relative movement with the earth will change its self-viewing direction on the earth, which is confusing.

There is a record of "fluorescence retrograde" in the 11th Chronicle of the Later Han Dynasty, so ancient people in China called it "fluorescence". "Mars" is the most similar planet to the Earth and the closest. Mars once reached a very close distance from the earth, which provided a good opportunity for its observation.

4. Mu Yao

Jupiter, also known as the "year star" in ancient times. It is named after passing through a "star time" in the zodiac every year (that is, a "time" in a year). According to ancient astronomical observations in China, Jupiter's operating cycle is twelve years. If the zodiac is divided into twelve parts, each part is called "times", then Jupiter passes through "times" every year, which is called "annual trip".

The "twelve o'clock" here are: Jixing, Feng Xuan, Loulou, Girder, Stone God, Quail Head, Quail Fire, Quail Tail, Shouxing, Fire and Analysis Wood. "Jupiter" is the largest known planet in the solar system, and its "Great Red Spot of Jupiter" was once a famous puzzle in astronomy.

5.obsidian

Saturn, called "revitalization" in ancient times. Saturn, as measured by ancient China people, has been orbiting the sky for about 28 years. Passing through one of the "twenty-eight hotels" on average every year, it seems to be stationed in the "twenty-eight hotels" in turn, which is called "one night in the ancient town", so it is called "Saturn" as a town star.

In addition, Saturn is also called "filled star", in which "filled" and "town" should be a common word. Saturn's first magic is its "ring". From the earth, it seems to have two "ears".

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