Pan facts for kids
Pan is a word that has many different meanings! It can refer to a god from ancient Greek stories, a tiny moon orbiting the planet Saturn, a group of amazing apes like chimpanzees, or even a common cooking tool you might use in the kitchen.
Contents
Pan, the Greek God
In ancient Greek mythology, Pan is a special god of the wild. He is often shown with the legs and horns of a goat, but the upper body of a human. Pan loves to play music on his pipes, which are sometimes called "Pan pipes." He is known as the god of shepherds, flocks, mountains, and wild nature. People believed he lived in the forests and mountains, often surprising travelers with his sudden appearances.
Pan, the Moon of Saturn
Pan is also the name of one of the many moons that orbit the giant planet Saturn. This moon is quite small, only about 35 kilometers (22 miles) across. What makes Pan special is its very unusual shape, which looks a bit like a ravioli or a flying saucer! It has a distinct ridge around its equator. Pan orbits inside a gap in Saturn's rings, called the Encke Gap, and helps keep that gap clear of ring particles. It was discovered in 1990 using images from the Voyager 2 spacecraft.
Pan, the Chimpanzee Genus
In the world of science, Pan is the name of a genus, which is a group of closely related animals. This genus includes two very intelligent species of great apes: the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and the bonobo (Pan paniscus). These animals are native to the forests of Africa. Chimpanzees and bonobos are known for their complex social lives, their ability to use tools, and their strong family bonds. They are among our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom.
Pan, the Cooking Tool
A pan is a very common type of cookware used in kitchens all over the world. It's usually a flat-bottomed container, often made of metal, with a handle. Pans are used for cooking food on a stovetop or in an oven. There are many different kinds of pans, like frying pans for searing and frying, saucepans for making sauces, and baking pans for cakes and casseroles. They come in various sizes and materials, each designed for specific cooking tasks.
See also
In Spanish: Pan (desambiguación) para niños
