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How did the ancient astonomers know the planets were different from the stars?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Ancient astronomers can tell the difference the same way you can tell now - the planets move, while the stars stay in the same patterns. The word "planet" comes from the Greek word for "wanderer". The 'planets' were the lights in the sky that moved. Originally the Greeks included the Sun and Moon as planets, because they were light's that moved through the sky. Also, the closer and bigger planets, Jupiter, Mars & Venus are also MUCH brighter than stars. The smaller planets and the ones that are far, far away (Mercury & Saturn) are also bright - but not much brighter than the brightest stars in the sky. They also all travel in the same narrow path in the sky - the ecliptic. It's the same path the sun & moon follow in the sky through the months & year. These 7 lights were visible in the sky without telescopes - Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus & Saturn - which is how we got our 7 days of the week.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Anonymous
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe planets move in their own trajectory which is different than the stars in the background. All the stars appear to circle the North star.
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How are planets an stars different?
Plants are normal and stars are like comets
What are two ways that planets are different from stars?
1) Although planets can be composed primarily of rock or gas, only stars are objects made of gas that are massive enough to support a nuclear fusion reaction. 2) Although planets and stars can orbit stars (as in binary systems), stars never orbit planets.
What are three stars that have been found to have extrasolar planets?
You can find the names of some 260 different stars with planets circling them here: http://exoplanet.eu/
How is the formation of stars different from the formation of planets?
Planets are pieces of material that orbit a star such as the earth orbits the sun. Stars are 'suns' and are distributed throughout the universe. Stars are much larger than planets hence the reason that at night stars can be seen in the sky and planets cant even though the stars are much futher away than the other planets in our solar system.
Why do planets need their stars?
Planets do not technically need their respective stars, but stars keep planets in orbit and provide heat and light to the planets.
How might astonomers measure how long planets and plutoids orbit the sun?
Astronomers measure it by predicting with the stars and using scientific tools
How constellations different from galaxies?
Constellations are stars put together, usually to form a ancient figure in the stars, a galaxy is much different, They have planets and in galaxies you can find constellations. Big difference
Are stars planets from different galaxies?
Through intense research it has indicated that stars are not only luminous balls of plasma held by gravity, but are also planets from different galaxies. From a distance, they may seem like stars, but are in fact planets. So yes, you are correct, planets are stars from different galaxies.
Are the stars in the sky different planets and moons we have not discovered yet?
No. We know what the stars are. They are not planets. They are distant suns, many of which do have undiscovered planets.
The way planets and stars are different?
stars make their own light and planets get theirs from the sun!!!!!!!!!! hi!!!! :):>
What planets are death stars?
A planets and stars are different things, so a planet can never be a death star.
Is mercury a classical planet?
Yes, its one of the planets that can be seen with the unaided eye, known to ancient people as being different from the fixed stars.
How are planets an stars different?
Plants are normal and stars are like comets
How Long ago were the ancient babylonians of the planets and stars?
A long Time ago
What was different about planets and stars in ancient times?
Almost nothing was different, except our understanding of things. The stars have been shining for millions or billions of years; all the planets have been pretty much just where they are for about 4 billion years or more. "Ancient" times in our human history is anything more than 2000 years ago.
How long ago were the ancient Babylonians charting of the planets and stars?
A long Time ago
How is a moon different from a planet?
Planets orbit stars, moons orbit planets. That is the only difference.
