Jupiter was named for his radiance

An example of personification in science writing,

"Now in Pato's Timaeus each of these five stars is named in accordance with its visible aspects: Saturn, Phaenon – as if to say 'shining' or 'appearing', for Saturn is hidden less than the others, and emerges more quickly after undergoing occultation by the sun; Jupiter, Phaeton from his radiance; Mars, Pyrois from his fiery glow; Venus sometimes …Lucifer [or] Vesperugo , according as she shines at morning or evening; and finally Mercury, Stilbon from his sparkling and twinkling light."

Nicolaus Copernicus (1543/1995) On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres (Translator: Charles Glenn Wallis) Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books

Read about personification in science texts

Read examples of personifying nature

Read other examples of personification

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.