Gods in Space

My husband is a bit of a space exploration nerd, so because of him I’ve been paying a little more attention to recent celestial discoveries, and I came across an article about the Rosetta probe and the comet it’s studying.

The team of scientists have, in keeping with the theme of the probe, begun naming locations on the comet with the names of some of the gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt.

“Regions on the body lobe of the comet are named after Egyptian gods, and regions on the head are named after goddesses…So far there are 19 regions, which fall into five categories: dust-covered regions (Ma’at, Ash and Babi); one region covered in pits and circular structures that are underlain with brittle materials (Seth); regions with big depressions (Hatmehit, Nut and Aten); smoother regions (Hapi, Imhotep and Anubis); and those with rocklike surfaces (Maftet, Bastet, Serqet, Hathor, Anuket, Khepry, Aker, Atum and Apis).” (Calla Cofield, Space.com)

Although my lady Isis isn’t named, the scientists actually have a good reason: they said they’re intentionally staying away from the more “popular” Egyptian gods and goddesses, mainly because those names have been used for other space missions. The article makes for an interesting read, especially since, to a Pagan mind at least, it sounds like the start of a new mythology when the features of the comet are being described.

Given the Egyptian’s scientific knowledge and celestial attraction, I’m going to wager a guess that the gods and goddesses are happy to be hanging out in outer space.