Zeus Ruins Everything - feat. Rick Riordan

Jupiter’s largest moons—Ganymede, Io, and Europa—derive their names from figures in Greek mythology who were famously targeted by Zeus. These myths often involve the god’s questionable courting practices, including kidnapping and unwanted transformations, which frequently resulted in life-altering consequences for the mortals involved. Beyond the mythological narratives, the discussion highlights scientific parallels, such as the potential for subsurface oceans on these moons and the naming conventions that link celestial bodies to ancient deities. Guest author Rick Riordan provides historical context on roles like cupbearers and the existence of ancient automatons, while noting that the NASA probe Juno was intentionally named to "keep an eye" on the gas giant. These stories illustrate how ancient legends continue to shape modern astronomical nomenclature and the ongoing scientific exploration of our solar system.