The Sun and its name

[Trivun]

I think the S in Sun should be capitalized (normally it is not but I capitalizing it in this forum because i think it should be) because it is the name of our solar system's star the Sun. Also it irritates me when the Sun's name is used to describe a star that is not the Sun for example in Star Wars Force Unleashed when a space station is set to crash into a system's star PROXY says the station is quickly heading for the sun. This all may sound silly but I want to see what other people think about the subject.

Our star is not called the Sun. It is called Sol. That is the actual, proper name for it, the Sun is just the common term used. So calling other stars 'the sun' in any form of media is perfectly acceptable. There would only be confusion if someone said "We're crashing into Sol!" when really they're crashing into Andromeda or something...

 

[akibawall95]

From this day on I shall call the Sun Sol; I learned something today (i did wonder why they called the Sun Sol in Mass Effect). Also one of my childhood memories is missing a question on an English test for capitalizing the Sun; it was a long time ago like 7th grade or something.

 

[Darius Brogan]

I vastly prefer the Name Sol, but I usually capitalize Sun anyways so...

 

[x434343]

I've heard it as Sol via books. I call him Sol.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

But, then I have to reach all the way over to the shift key. I just don't have the time nor energy to do that.

 

[AgentNein]

Actually the proper name of our sun is Sol. As in solar energy. Also, our moon is Luna and our planet is Terra.

Actually contrary to what some believe the Sun does not have a proper name.

Or rather, the proper name is actually the Sun. Same with the Moon and the Earth.

 

[Voodoomancer]

It's called Jim God damn it, get it right.

So, you'd get Jimshine?

"It'd a Jimmy day, isn't it?"

"I can't see, Jim's in my eyes"

"Lets go Jimbathing"

...we should make an official "Sun is called Jim" day xD

 

[akibawall95]

Also I have a question? Am i getting schooled in my own post? D:

 

[zehydra]

I think the way it's been called over time is changing from a name, "Sun", to a regular noun, "sun". For instance, I think people refer to a foreign solar system's central star as its "sun".

 

[Treblaine]

In science fiction books like Richard Morgan's series they refer to our sun as "Sol" once people are in the habit of living and working around alien solar systems.

Then I suppose the difference between is it "A Star" or "The sun" depends on proximity. If you are so far away it is not much brighter than all the other stars in the sky... then it's a star. But once you get within the orbits of the star system's planets (and there are no other stars around) then it's reasonable to call it "the sun"

Just like if you walked into a room with only one chair you wouldn't say "I sit in A chair" you say "I sit in THE chair".

 

[zehydra]

It's called Jim God damn it, get it right.

So, you'd get Jimshine?

"It'd a Jimmy day, isn't it?"

"I can't see, Jim's in my eyes"

"Lets go Jimbathing"

...we should make an official "Sun is called Jim" day xD

Lol, let's do it. "Sun is called Jim" day a.k.a. let's all confuse the hell out of Jim.

 

[Macgyvercas]

Screw all of that, lets just go back and start calling the Sun 'Helios.' I think that sounds much better.

I use "Sol". And I call Earth "Sol III".

Yeah, I'm crazy like that.

 

[crudus]

I think the S in Sun should be capitalized (normally it is not but I capitalizing it in this forum because i think it should be) because it is the name of our solar system's star the Sun. Also it irritates me when the Sun's name is used to describe a star that is not the Sun for example in Star Wars Force Unleashed when a space station is set to crash into a system's star PROXY says the station is quickly heading for the sun. This all may sound silly but I want to see what other people think about the subject.

Sol is the name of our sun. A sun is just the star of a solar system.

Screw all of that, lets just go back and start calling the Sun 'Helios.' I think that sounds much better.

I use "Sol". And I call Earth "Sol III".

Yeah, I'm crazy like that.

I do that too. Although I say "Sol III aka Earth".

 

[MonkeySlayer]

According to the International Astronomical Union (awesome name) it is formally correct to put Sun (capitalised as a proper noun). The Latin name Sol is no longer common of common use in English but is still used widely by some, if not most Latin based languages.
Sol is NOT the definitive name for the star at the centre of our solar system. The name derived from the Roman Sun god, Sol, and as with entomology, zoology and so forth, it has become commonplace amongst the community to use Latin names to identify entities.

/argument

Take it Easy

 

[Blue_vision]

Actually the proper name of our sun is Sol. As in solar energy. Also, our moon is Luna and our planet is Terra.

Those are Latin names, bud.

This is an interesting topic.

I'd think that if we were to colonize another star system, we'd create an endearing name for it other than "the sun" or whatever language have you. If humans will be calling that system home, it'd have to have a better name than X34 2006 or something. In that case, you'd call your star Alpha Centauri or Centauri or whatever name it is in your language, and our star would be the Sun, whatever language have you. Your system would be the Centurian system, while ours would stay the Solar system.
If your a galactic explorer (stupid in realistic terms but I guess for fiction's sake) or something, I'd say that the correct way to say it would be "we're heading towards PROXY" or "we're heading towards the star."

For moons it's a bit weirder. We already call other large natural satellites moons, so I think it could be a planetary thing? Use moon as a colloquial term for any moon, but if you need to give reference, it'd be "Earth's moon" or "Phobos" or "Triton."

 

[T-Bone24]

Call it what you like, to me it is the HeatOrb. Or, simply, "FURY".
[sub]Yes, it is spelled in all caps with bold and italics.[/sub]

 

[Nickolai77]

"Sun"- Comes from the Anglo-Saxon "Sunne". Unsurprisingly, the English and German words for "Sun" are very similar. I don't think anyone now knows why the Saxons called that big yellow ball in the sky "Sunne", but the name has stuck around since then.

"Moon" originates from the old English "Muna"...again, i don't think anyone today know's why the Saxons called that round silver thing in the sky Muna either...

 

[spartan231490]

sun is also the generic term for a star with orbiting planets, at least in common usage. I don't see why it upsets you so.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

Actually the proper name of our sun is Sol. As in solar energy. Also, our moon is Luna and our planet is Terra.

'Holy Terra' if you want to be especially technical.

Capitol of the imperium of man for an even more specific title.

Sol is still the name for our sun, this the SOLar system. Its surprising how few people realise that the SOLar system is only our stat/planets and none other. You cant say "that solar system" its OUR SOLar system. Only one SOL only one SOLar system.

 

[The Amazing Tea Alligator]

Sol is still the name for our sun, this the SOLar system. Its surprising how few people realise that the SOLar system is only our stat/planets and none other. You cant say "that solar system" its OUR SOLar system. Only one SOL only one SOLar system.

Holy shit. That makes sense - I never thought about it like that before. God damn it, even more sci-fi I'll be too busy yelling at to appreciate. Damn you all.