charon

Everyday

1. (Greek myth) Charon is the ferryman in ancient Greek stories who rowed the souls of the dead across the river Styx (or Acheron) into the underworld, in return for a coin. tree →
2. (science) Charon is the largest moon of the dwarf planet Pluto, about half Pluto's size. tree →

In the lessons

In history and myths lessons Charon explains why ancient Greeks sometimes put a coin with the dead. In space science, Pluto and Charon are so close in size that they circle around a point between them. Written with a capital C.

Examples

• Charon rowed the dead across the river Styx. tree →
• The Greeks put a coin with the dead to pay Charon. tree →
• Charon is Pluto's biggest moon. tree →
• The New Horizons spacecraft took photos of Charon. tree →
• Pluto and Charon spin around each other like dancers. tree →
• In the story the hero had no coin for Charon. tree →

Note

Capital C. Say «KAIR-on» or «SHAR-on» (the moon is often said «SHAR-on»). A name from myth and a moon, not an ordinary word. Not the name «Sharon».