Tolkien's Influence Galactic? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Hilde Bracegirdle · 01-16-2007, 04:49 PM

If I might record a stellar bit of trivia...

I stumbled across this today, as perhaps some others have too. To think that the word once scrawled on a page is now so well known that it is considered a fit name for a type of galaxy. What next pixies and sprites?

Durelin · 01-16-2007, 05:38 PM

Haha, genius!

Thank God! For once something not named after some random scientist... Nice, simple, practical.

Next thing we know, "hobbit" will be the accepted term for anything "miniature" or the like. For the English language is especially...adaptable...or absorbent...or something like that?

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-17-2007, 08:28 AM

Interesting to use "hobbit" as a relative size, smaller than "dwarf". I find it even more interesting, considering Tolkien's claim that hobbits are still around, just not visible to "big people", that the galaxies thus named are also described as "faint". Faded, perhaps?

Hilde Bracegirdle · 01-17-2007, 11:08 AM

Yes, I was also thinking of the hobbit's supposed ability to hide from men of this Age. But who would have guessed that we would find them with a high powered telescope!

Whoever came up with the designation must be a bit versed in Middle-earth. Better than me at least, for I can't recall if a height comparison was ever made between dwarves and hobbits. Certainly hobbits are slighter and more elusive, and it seems about right, but memory fails me.

I do wonder if they would entertain the idea of actually naming the galaxies after 'historic' hobbits or their towns. Most likely we will be introduced to a generation of new hobbits with names sounding suspiciously like the names of random scientists or worse yet, numbers and letters. I suppose we might see how many Tolkien fans are to be found in the pool of astronomers, but given the choice of naming a newly found galaxy after themself or their favorite hobbit, I assume that the former would prevail.

EDIT: After a bit of a search on dwarf galaxies, it seems they are named after the constellations they are found in, or near, so perhaps we will have some new and interesting names for any futuristic RPGs, Cygnus Sandheaver, anyone?

The Might · 01-17-2007, 11:28 AM

Nice to see that Tolkien had so much influnce in so many fields of science.
First we have LOTR-related species, now we have galaxies.

Mithalwen · 01-17-2007, 12:21 PM

Hobbits I think are described as being smaller than dwarves in "Concerning Hobbits" and you may recall that Balin's spare hood and cloak were rather large for Bilbo at the start of the Hobbit. How the ent-draught assisted Merry and Pippin compared I am unsure.

However as a stargazer I am delighted by this development and since Tolkien took some trouble over his astronomy to make sure phases of the moon were consistent in LOTR and giving Elvish names to heavenly bodies (as well as astronomy- related names to many elves), I can't help thinking he would be rather pleased.

01-16-2007, 04:49 PM	#1
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	Tolkien's Influence Galactic? If I might record a stellar bit of trivia... I stumbled across this today, as perhaps some others have too. To think that the word once scrawled on a page is now so well known that it is considered a fit name for a type of galaxy. What next pixies and sprites?

01-17-2007, 08:28 AM	#3
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Interesting to use "hobbit" as a relative size, smaller than "dwarf". I find it even more interesting, considering Tolkien's claim that hobbits are still around, just not visible to "big people", that the galaxies thus named are also described as "faint". Faded, perhaps? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

01-17-2007, 11:08 AM	#4
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	Yes, I was also thinking of the hobbit's supposed ability to hide from men of this Age. But who would have guessed that we would find them with a high powered telescope! Whoever came up with the designation must be a bit versed in Middle-earth. Better than me at least, for I can't recall if a height comparison was ever made between dwarves and hobbits. Certainly hobbits are slighter and more elusive, and it seems about right, but memory fails me. I do wonder if they would entertain the idea of actually naming the galaxies after 'historic' hobbits or their towns. Most likely we will be introduced to a generation of new hobbits with names sounding suspiciously like the names of random scientists or worse yet, numbers and letters. I suppose we might see how many Tolkien fans are to be found in the pool of astronomers, but given the choice of naming a newly found galaxy after themself or their favorite hobbit, I assume that the former would prevail. EDIT: After a bit of a search on dwarf galaxies, it seems they are named after the constellations they are found in, or near, so perhaps we will have some new and interesting names for any futuristic RPGs, Cygnus Sandheaver, anyone? Last edited by Hilde Bracegirdle; 01-17-2007 at 11:17 AM.

01-17-2007, 11:28 AM	#5
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Nice to see that Tolkien had so much influnce in so many fields of science. First we have LOTR-related species, now we have galaxies. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

01-17-2007, 12:21 PM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,455	Hobbits I think are described as being smaller than dwarves in "Concerning Hobbits" and you may recall that Balin's spare hood and cloak were rather large for Bilbo at the start of the Hobbit. How the ent-draught assisted Merry and Pippin compared I am unsure. However as a stargazer I am delighted by this development and since Tolkien took some trouble over his astronomy to make sure phases of the moon were consistent in LOTR and giving Elvish names to heavenly bodies (as well as astronomy- related names to many elves), I can't help thinking he would be rather pleased. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-16-2007, 05:38 PM	#2
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	Haha, genius! Thank God! For once something not named after some random scientist... Nice, simple, practical. Next thing we know, "hobbit" will be the accepted term for anything "miniature" or the like. For the English language is especially...adaptable...or absorbent...or something like that?