Phaethon (redirected from genus Phaethon)

Phaethon

In Greek mythology, the son of Helios, the sun god, and a nymph. Taunted as illegitimate, Phaethon asked for permission to drive the chariot of the sun through the heavens for a single day in order to prove that Helios was his father. He proved unable to control the horses, and, after making a gash in the heavens that became the Milky Way, he rode too close to earth and began to scorch it. To prevent further damage, Zeus hurled a thunderbolt, killing him.