Element Names from Celestial Bodies

Many elements have been named after celestial bodies (Table 3.12). Table 3.12 Elements named after celestial bodies 

Helium Helios Greek Greek word for the sun. Helium was observed in 1868 in radiation from the sun. It was not discovered on earth until 1895 

Cerium Ceres Latin One of the minor planets between Mars and Jupiter, discovered in 1801. The metal cerium was discovered in 1803 

Palladium Pallas Greek Asteroid discovered in 1802. The new element was discovered in 1803 

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In the course of investigating the production of platinum from its ores, Wollaston and Tennant found four new elements in 1803. Tennant isolated osmium and iridium Wollaston found rhodium and palladium. As was the contemporary habit, Wollaston named the latter after a newly discovered celestial body. Uranium gained its name this way after William Herschel s discovery of the planet Uranus, and palladium honoured the asteroid Pallas, found in 1802. 

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