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The Myth of the Milky Way: Hera, Hercules, and the Cosmic Spill
The Milky Way, our galaxy, has a fascinating origin story in Greek mythology. According to legend, its creation is linked to the goddess Hera and the demigod Hercules
The Myth
Zeus, wanting to make his son Heracles immortal, attempted to have him nurse from Hera while she slept. However, Heracles sucked so strongly that Hera woke up startled and pushed him away. As she did, drops of her divine milk spilled across the sky, creating the bright band of stars we now call the Milky Way
- This myth reflects the tension between Hera and Heracles, as Hera resented him for being Zeus' illegitimate child.
- It also illustrates how the ancient Greeks explained celestial phenomena through mythology, associating the heavens with divine events.
The Milky Way’s name in many languages still reflects this ancient idea—its Greek name, "Galaxias Kyklos" (Γαλαξίας Κύκλος), means "Milky Circle." 9 replies
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