Ad astra (phrase)

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For other uses, see Ad astra.

Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". It is used as, or as part of, the motto of many organizations. It has also been adopted as a proper name for various unrelated things (publications, bands, games, etc.). It also sees general use as a popular Latin tag.

1 Mottos
2 Proper names
3 Other usage
4 Origin
5 Related phrase
6 External links

[edit] Mottos

Exact motto
- University College Dublin
- Slough Grammar School in Berkshire, England
- United States Air Force Academy Class of 2007
- Miami Central High School
per ardua ad astra — "through struggles to the stars"
ad astra per aspera — "to the stars through difficulties"
- Kansas (US state) & Seal of Kansas
- Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina
- Mount Saint Michael Academy in The Bronx, New York
- Grupo 5 de Caza, a fighter/bomber squadron of the Fuerza Aerea Argentina (Argentine Air Force)
- Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Buckinghamshire, England
per aspera ad astra — "through adversity to the stars"
Sic itur ad astra — "thus one goes to the stars"
- Richmond, Virginia (city)
- Detroit, Michigan public schools

[edit] Proper names

Ad Astra Aero was the precursor of the now-defunct Swissair airline
Ad Astra Per Aspera is an experimental indie rock band from Lawrence, Kansas, on Sonic Unyon Records
"Ad Astra Per Aspera" is a song by the band Acceptance, from the album Phantoms
"Per Aspera Ad Astra" is track six of Spiritual Beggars' CD Ad Astra

[edit] Other usage

Deceased members of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity are regularly referred to as having "passed ad astra"^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Origin

The phrase may have its origin with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra ("thus you shall go to the stars"; Aeneid book IX, line 641) and opta ardua pennis astra sequi, ("they choose hardship that follow the stars on wings"; book XII, lines 892–893). Seneca the Younger later wrote non est ad astra mollis e terris via ("there is no easy way from the earth to the stars").