Asteroid name inspired by Egyptian mythology, Stargate SG-1

[Tek7 (Legacy)]

w00t Stargate!

While reading the article "Astronauts Demand Asteroid Collision Plan" on Fox News, I noticed the asteroid in question had been named Apophis. Familiar with both Egyptian mythology and a huge fan of Stargate SG-1, I decided to look up the explanation for the name. Here's what I found:

Apophis is the Greek name given to the Egyptian demon Apep, who was the enemy of light and order, the personification of evil and chaos. Depicted as a giant snake, Apophis/Apep attacked the Sun god Ra as he made his way through the Egyptian underworld during the evening hours. Solar eclipses were thought to be Apep's few daytime attempts to swallow Ra, who always succeeded in cutting his way out of the snake's belly. As the enemy of Ma'at, the ancient Egyptian concept of order and law, Apep represented chaos.

However, mythology may not have been the only consideration in naming Apophis. Codiscoverers Dave Tholen and Roy Tucker are fans of the TV series Stargate SG-1. The show's most persistent villain is Apophis, an alien also named for the Egyptian god.

Source: Astronomy, Asteroid Apophis set for a makeover

 

[jammer7]

Stargate RULES!