ZOONYMS IN ASTRONOMICAL TERMINOLOGНY (ON THE MATERIAL OF THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE)

The article deals with systematic study of zoonyms that have significant word-formation and semantic potential and occupy a special place in the terminology system, including astronomical terminology in the Russian language. The astronomical terms representing the macrosphere “zoonyms” are analyzed; the history of their origin and connection with the culture and worldview of the people is traced. The word-formation and semantic potential of zoonyms, general patterns and features of their use as part of astronomical terms reflecting historical, mythological and cultural aspects are revealed. The names of constellations with a zoonym component are considered in two groups according to their location: 1. Constellations of the northern hemisphere: Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Canes Venatici, Giraffe, Ophiuchus, Leo, Chanterelle, Lesser Horse, Lizard, Lynx, Cancer, Taurus, Aries , Pegasus; 2.Constellations of the southern hemisphere: Canis Major, Canis Minor, Chameleon, Hare, Wolf, Capricorn, Scorpio, Hydra. As a result of the analysis of terms, it was established: most of the names of the constellations are represented by one lexical unit (13), terms-phrases (6), diminutives (1), compound words (2). It has been determined that zoonyms are components of the names of constellations. As for the names of other celestial bodies (planets, their satellites, asteroids, comets), as the materials of astronomical dictionaries show, zoonyms are not observed in their names. The use of zoomorphic terms in astronomy is a direct reflection of the cultural heritage, mythological and imaginative thinking of the people.