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Why do we call the sun 'Sol'?
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christ
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Sep 26, 2001, 10:29 AM
 
As in the title. It is the sun, it is our sun, and it is the only sun that we have, why 'Sol'?

We only need to call something a name to distinguish it from other similar objects, but why a 'star name' for the sun?
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Millennium
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Sep 26, 2001, 10:51 AM
 
I think the name was given to it in anticipation of beings living on worlds outside our own solar system. Not necessarily aliens, but possibly humans from some space-colonizing effort.

To such a person, their sun would not be the same as our sun, but rather a completely different star. They would likely call that star "the sun" just as we call our star by that title. Therefore, to avoid any potential confusion, they gave our sun a proper name that could be used to avoid titular conflicts.

It could also have to do with the fact that in many religions (mostly ancient, but some modern as well), the sun is believed to be a diety, and as such has a personal name, whether it be Helios, Ra, Ameratasu, or whatever. Unless I'm mistaken, "Sol" was the Roman name for their sun (not to be confused with Phoebus/Apollo, who, while considered the sun god, was not thought to actually be the sun). Given science's apparent affinity for all things Latin, the name stuck.
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Mskr
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Sep 26, 2001, 11:14 AM
 
Originally posted by christ:
<STRONG>As in the title. It is the sun, it is our sun, and it is the only sun that we have, why 'Sol'?

We only need to call something a name to distinguish it from other similar objects, but why a 'star name' for the sun?</STRONG>
From WordNet (r) 1.6 : sol
n 1: a colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a
solid is suspended in a liquid [syn: colloidal solution,
colloidal suspension]
2: (Greek mythology) ancient Roman god; personification of the
sun; counterpart of Greek Helios [syn: Sol]

This may have something to do with it. Also, "sol" == "sun" in some Romance languages (like Spanish), so maybe they named it "sol" while they were in power...
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San Acoustic
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Sep 26, 2001, 11:24 AM
 
Sol� God of the sun, identical to the Greek Helios. Later worshipped as the state god Sol Invictus.�
     
   
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