Georgium Sidus

Coined by German-born British astronomer and composer William Herschel in 1781, after King George III + Latin sīdus (“star”).

Georgium Sidus

1. (astronomy, obsolete) The planet Uranus. [from 18th c.]
   • 1783, William Herschel, Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London, section 73.2:

     I cannot but wish to take this opportunity of expressing my sense of gratitude, by giving the name Georgium Sidus […] to a star, which (with respect to us) first began to shine under His auspicious reign.

   • 1812, Thomas Jefferson, letter, 17 June:

     The exclusion from the courts of the malign influence of all authorities after the Georgium sidus became ascendant, would uncanonize Blackstone.

   • 1821, James Ferguson, Astronomy, volume II, page 86:

     The satellites of the Georgium Sidus, too, appear to move nearly at right angles to the plane of his orbit […]