Seeing as I have nothing to do on this Sunday afternoon, I thought I'd go on about what is perhaps the longest-lived of my personal fascinations: That of the stars and planets.
My love affair with astronomy and star-gazing started out very young, encouraged in particular by my mother, father, and uncle. Somewhere in a garage in southern California sits an infographic poster of the (then) nine planets of our Solar System that hung on my bedroom wall at various points of my childhood and adolescence. My love of learning about the planets has remained lifelong, and I hope it shall always remain.
Also of interest to me, besides the fact-finding and the photographs, is the supposed influence on the psyche the planets have. Practitioners of astrology, variously described as a mystic practice and pseudoscience, have long maintained that the worlds beyond our own imbue unique psychological traits and, combined with twelve specific groups of stars we refer to collectively as the Zodiac (so named because most of the groups, called constellations, bear a passing resemblance to earthly animals) can impel our mental state. I don't accept it as complete and undeniable fact, but I find it impossible not to be fascinated by it.
Both the astronomical and astrological aspects of our heavenly neighbors coalesced into one of the most famous pieces of classical music in recent memory, The Planets. Originally composed by Gustav Holst over a period starting in 1914 and ending around 1916, The Planets is largely astrological, but the astronomical aspect can be discerned as well by the imaginative listener.
My interest in Holst's composition has become something of an obsession: To date, I have purchased three complete recordings of The Planets: Andre Previn and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London's 1986 recording, Mark Elder and the Halle Orchestra of Manchester's 2001 recording, which included a Holst-inspired movement, Pluto-The Renewer composed by Colin Matthews, and most recently, Peter Oundjian and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's recording, released this year. "Why so many versions of the same thing?" you may ask. Well, classical compositions can be played in a multitude of fashions, unlike most contemporary music. Indeed, the flow, volume, tempo, and instrumental emphasis within each piece is left very much to the discretion of the conductor. So each has it's unique characteristics. Moving on...
So, if you decide-and I hope you do-I will go into a little bit of detail-covering astronomical facts, some astrological background, and commentary on Holst's accompanying piece-for our eight neighbors (yes, I still count Pluto). For simplicity's sake, I will keep the planets in their proper order, going outward from the Sun.
☿ Mercury-The Winged Messenger
-Mean radius: 2,4739.7 km -Mass: 3.3022x10^23kg -Apparent magnitude: 5.7 to -2.6 -Orbital period: 88 days
The closest planet to the Sun, Mercury is also the fastest in its orbit, the likely reason why it was named after the flighty Roman messenger god-and is also the smallest official planet (and the second-smallest commonly observed). Mercury's orbit is the most eccentric within our Solar System, while the planet itself has the smallest axial tilt. How the planet formed or how it came to it's current condition is a mystery to scientists, and the planet has only been visited by two spacecraft: Mariner 10 in 1974, and MESSENGER, which arrived at Mercury orbit earlier this year. The planet has virtually no atmosphere-it's being boiled away by the sun-and no satellites. The planet can reach a sunside temperature of 700K, while the dark side of the planet can get as cold as 100K. Because the planet is so close to the Sun, attempting to see it while stargazing is usually difficult, although it is less problematic in the southern hemisphere.
In astrology, Mercury is associated with intellectualism, attention to detail, and, occasionally, sudden changes in behavior or attitude-the origin of the word mercurial. In western astrological practice, the planet is said to rule the signs of Gemini and Virgo
It was Gemini's position as the third sign in the zodiac that led to Holst placing the innermost planet third in The Planets. Mercury, The Winged Messenger, is meant to symbolize the attainment of independent thought after achieving peace over the struggles of youth, and sounds like a curious flight of fancy. Mercury's quick orbital pace certainly comes to mind when listening to the movement.
♀ Venus-The Bringer of Peace
-Mean radius: 6,051 km -Mass: 4.868.5x10^24 kg -Apparent magnitude: -3.8 to -4.9 -Orbital period: 225 days
The second planet from the Sun, Venus is named for the Roman goddess of love and desire. This is because the planet would appear as a beautiful, very bright point of light in the evening and morning skies. In fact, in the night sky, only Earth's Moon is brighter than Venus. Beauty, however, is skin-deep for the planet referred to as "Earth's twin": Thanks to it's chokingly-think carbon dioxide and sulphiric acid atmosphere, Venus registers the hottest planetary temperatures in the Solar System. This heat, along with the high pressure created by the thick atmosphere, means that the few spacecraft that made it to the planet's surface only survived for a few hours, if not a matter of minutes. Venus also has a retrograde rotation (opposite the normal counterclockwise direction), likely the result of a massive collision during the formative stages of the Solar System.
In astrology, Venus symbolizes beauty (again), along with peace and stability. The latter characteristics seem to show with the two signs the planet rules, Taurus and Libra. Venus is also said to hold sway over love and desire in a person's life-giving us, at least initially, the meaning of the word venereal (and it's subsequent, less pleasant meaning).
It is the stability and peace following revolutionary upset that led Holst to place Venus, The Bringer of Peace second in order in The Planets. It stands in sharp contrast to the bombastic, somewhat menacing Mars, with a balance of winds, a soft touch of violin, and harp accents conjuring images of the beauty to behold in peace (it's hard not to imagine a pretty girl in my mind). Astronomically, the piece brings to mind looking at the pretty planet from Earth or observing it's gold-colored atmosphere-ignoring, of course, the lethality below.
♂ Mars-The Bringer of War
-Equatorial radius: 3,396.2 km -Polar radius: 3,376.2 km -Mass: 6.4185x10^23kg -Apparent magnitude: 1.6 to -3.0 -Orbital period: 1.8 years -Satellites: 2
The fourth planet from the Sun, Mars is named for the Roman god of war, no doubt because when the planet appeared in the night sky, it was conspicuously blood red-this being a result of the high iron oxide content of it's surface. Mars is the planet most like Earth in terms of it's current conditions in the Solar System. Scientists have speculated that at one point, long ago, the planet may well have been hospitable to life as we know it, and today Mars is the most likely target for human exploration and colonization outside the Earth sphere. Mars is also the most studied and explored world in our Solar System, having been targeted by numerous probes, rovers, and satellites since the Viking crafts landed in the 1970s. Mars has two diminutive satellites, Phobos and Deimos, stray asteroids that found their way into the Martian gravity well. Phobos is predicted to fall onto the Martian surface in a couple million years time.
In astrology, Mars is associated with the beginning stages of life, and stands out for it's supposed influence over action and revolutionary mindset. As such, it rules the sign of Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. People said to be under the influence of the Red Planet are, according to astrologers, combative in nature and sometimes quick to anger, giving us the word martial.
Holst opened The Planets with Mars, subtitled The Bringer of War, to reference it's action-oriented and charging nature and the influence this holds at the beginning of life. The revolutionary change Mars brings sets the stage of life, so to speak. The piece itself has the feel of a mix between a military tattoo and something you'd expect to hear during a graphic representation of combat. It's hard not to imagine the Martians, who have plagued our imagination since Percival Lowell, H.G. Wells, and Orson Wells brought them upon us, practicing drills and combat maneuvers on the ruddy soil of their home planet preparing to invade Earth...
♃ Jupiter-The Bringer of Jollity
-Equatorial Radius: 71,492 km -Polar radius: 66,854 km -Mass:1.8986x10^27kg -Apparent magnitude: -1.6 to -2.94
-Orbital period: 11.9 years -Satellites: 63
Very appropriately named for the Roman King of the Gods, the fifth planet from the sun is the largest in the Solar System. The planet-which is made up mostly of hydrogen and helium-is so massive some scientists wonder whether the planet may have formed from a failed star. The large planet's most noticeable feature is the massive storm in it's southern hemisphere known as the Great Red Spot-which could easily swallow the Earth whole. Jupiter also has several prominent moons, including Ganymede, the largest satellite in the Solar System, and a faint ring system. Jupiter also has an extremely large and powerful magnetic field-if one found Jupiter in the night sky, this field, with the planet at the center, if visible, would appear as large as a full moon. This also means human exploration to the system would be extremely risky if ever attempted, due to high radiation. The Jovian system was studied in depth most recently by Galileo, named after the Italian astronomer who discovered the planet's four most prominent moons.
In astrology, Jupiter is considered a lucky planet, and is associated with abundance and mirth-giving us the definition for the word jovial. Jupiter rules the sign of Sagittarius.
Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity marks the midpoint for Holst's Planets. The piece is large, epic, and celebratory. You can't help but think of Jupiter's sheer mass listening to all of it. The midsection of Jupiter has taken a life of it's own, and has become a popular musical accompaniment for hymns, most famously the British "I Vow to Thee, My Country" and the LDS Church hymn "The Iron Rod."
♄ Saturn-The Bringer of Old Age
-Equatorial radius: 60,268 km -Polar radius: 54,364 km -Mass: 5.6846x10^26kg -Apparent magnitude: 1.47 to -0.24 -Orbital period: 29.5 years -Satellites: 200 observed, 61 w/secure orbits
The sixth planet from the Sun and Crown Jewel of the Solar System, Saturn is most well known for it's visually stunning ring system, which can be seen from Earth and were first observed by Galileo. The rings themselves are made up of ice particles and some chunks of rock. The particles themselves are remarkably small, the largest no bigger than a large car. The rings have an average thickness of only about 20 meters. The planet is named for the Roman god of agriculture and civilization, who was also associated with time and old age. The planet likely earned its name for being the most distant of the observable planets (Uranus can technically be seen with the naked eye as well, but is almost always too faint to be distinguishable). Saturn itself is also noted for it's unusually low density-if there were a body of water large enough to fit it, the ringed planet would float. Saturn also has at least 61 satellites with secure orbits, including Titan, the only moon with a substantive atmosphere, and Rhea, which may also possess a ring system like it's parent planet. The system is currently being explored by the Cassini probe, which has provided a wealth of information and stunning photographs.
Because it was the farthest planet the ancients could see, Saturn's role in astrology is considered that of a judge and a marker of age. The planet symbolizes the encounter of limitations, duty, responsibility, and seriousness-where we get the origin of the word saturnine, and all things far too many people try to shirk and avoid, giving the planet something of a bad reputation in astrology. However, astrologers are quick to point out that Saturn is also a bringer of contemplation, wisdom, and understanding-ultimately, the world that symbolizes maturity. Because of this and the length of its orbit, astrologers claim that the Return of Saturn to its place when a person was born symbolizes an important milestone in life. Saturn rules the sign of Capricorn, fitting that sign's association with ambition, wisdom, and patience.
Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age was the fifth movement of The Planets and was Holst's personal favorite. The piece stands in stark contrast to preceding Jupiter-subtle, deliberate, processional. The climactic midpoint sends chills down the spine, but the ending is perhaps the best, with it's quiet, peaceful, insightful woodwinds. It's meant to symbolize coming to terms with mortality and gaining an understanding of the meaning of Life. Astronomically, it's best to think of travelling towards the system, slowly watching the ringed planet grow larger in the windows before finishing with a serene contemplation of the massive, beautiful system and it's trademark rings basking in the sunlight.
♅ Uranus-The Magician
-Equatorial radius: 25,559 km -Polar radius: 24,973 km -Mass:8.6810x10^25 kg, -Apparent magnitude: 5.9 to 5.32 -Orbital period: 84.3 years -Satellites: 27
The first of the so-called "modern" planets, Uranus, named for the god of the sky, was formally discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1781. Unlike Jupiter and Saturn before it, Uranus is considered an"ice giant" where it's composition is a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, ammonia, and methane ices. Uranus has the coldest planetary atmosphere in the Solar System, reaching a minimum of 49K. The planet is best known for it's highly unusual tilt-the planet has an axial tilt of over 90 degrees, meaning it revolves around the sun on it's side. Besides it's somewhat bland electric blue atmosphere, the planet also possesses a faint ring system-the second to be discovered after Saturn's. Uranus's moons, named after characters from the works of Shakespeare and Alexander Pope, revolve around the planet sideways as well. The only space probe to visit the planet was Voyager 2 in the 1980s.
In astrology, Uranus has adopted the role of symbolizing the radical and the different. Uranian influence is said to awaken one to a new, independent perspective. Uranus rules the sign of Aquarius, the "philosopher" sign of the Western zodiac.
Uranus's flirtation with the unseen get it labeled as The Magician, the sixth piece in Holst'sPlanets. The piece is very free-spirited and jumpy, if not a bit vulgar, calling to mind an acoustic soulmate in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. The inherently odd nature of the planet's physical condition comes to mind.
♆ Neptune-The Mystic
-Equatorial radius: 24,764 km -Polar radius: 24,341 km -Mass: 1.0243x10^26 kg -Apparent magnitude: 8.02-7.78 -Orbital period: 164.8 years -Satellites: 13
The eighth planet from the Sun (and the last official planet), named for the Roman god of the sea, Neptune earns it's name through it's striking royal blue color and it's being an "ice giant" like Uranus. Neptune stands out for being the first planet to be discovered by mathematical prediction (made by Urbain Le Verrier). In contrast to Uranus, Neptune has a visibly active atmosphere. During the Voyager 2 flyby in 1989, the probe spotted a large storm in the southern hemisphere, dubbed the Great Dark Spot. However, the storm had disappeared by the end of the next decade. Neptune, like the other giant planets in the Solar System, has a ring system. Neptune curiously generates a great deal of heat, the origins of which scientists are still unsure of. The planet also has among the fastest winds in the Solar System, capable of reaching 600 meters pre second. Neptune's largest moon, Triton, orbits around the planet in a retrograde direction, leading some scientists to believe the satellite was captured by Neptune's gravity.
Neptune, distant and mysterious, symbolizes the transcendent in astrology, and also symbolizes the point in life where one begins to slip away from their physical bounds and become one of the spiritual world. Neptune rules Pisces, the last sign of the Zodiac and the likely "sign" of Jesus Christ.
Because of it's astrological association with the spiritual plane and the end of life, Holst ended The Planets with Neptune, The Mystic. The piece, with it's soft winds, is meant heavily to symbolize the transition from one world to the next, and with it's choral fadeout (the first piece of orchestral music to end with a fade out), the effect is haunting. Imagine seeing a blend of the astronomical and the spiritual-a human soul, departed from the realm of the living, floating past the distant azure planet on his way to meet his Maker.
♇ Pluto-The Renewer
-Mean radius: 1,153 km -Mass: 1.305x10^22kg -Apparent magnitude: 16.3 to 13.65 -Orbital period: 248.1 years -Satellites: 3
The ninth planet from the sun (formally designated 134340 Pluto after being stripped of it's official planetary status), Pluto is named after the Roman god of the underworld and wealth. The planet was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, and has an eccentric and highly inclined orbit around the Sun. Pluto is perhaps the least understood and most mysterious of the planets; to date we have no clear understanding of the planet's composition or geology; it has only recently been ascertained that the cold, distant world has a distinct, reddish-orange color. Pluto has no permanent atmosphere-what little does form gets so cold when not exposed to the Sun that it freezes and falls back towards the planet's surface. Pluto has three moons, the largest of which, Charon, has a unique orbital relationship with Pluto. The barycenter for Charon's orbit around Pluto is actually above the planet's surface, meaning the two worlds revolve around a common center, leading some scientists to suggets reclassifying Pluto and Charon as a twin-planet system.
Distant, cold, isolated Pluto marks the boundaries of the Solar system, and since it's discovery it has been associated by astrologers with the renewal of life after death. Renewal, however, is mysterious and downright chaotic, which make the planet a fitting ruler for that most darkly intriguing of western zodiac signs, Scorpio.
Pluto was discovered some ten years after The Planets debuted in it's entirety, and Holst-who had complained that The Planets took away attention from his other works-had no interest in writing another piece for the tiny planet. In 2000, composer Colin Matthews, considered an expert on Holst, composed a piece titled Pluto-The Renewer. He dedicated the piece to the late Imogen Holst, Holst's daughter, when it debuted at a performance ofThe Planets by the Halle Orchestra in 2000. The piece is positively chaotic, jumping from quiet to bombastic and never leaving you feeling stable, capturing the chaotic element and the mysterious feel of the planet's renewing capabilities. Astronomically, it's easy to imagine looking at the dark side of the small, isolated planet, feeling the coldness of space and the relentless solar particles streaming past, yet also imagining the possibilities lying in interstellar space beyond.
I suppose I've gone on enough about this for you to take, so all I can say is I hope you enjoyed it.
Originally published 19 June 2011.
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