opposition | space-encyclopedia

Space Travel

23, May, 2012

Space exploration began with the launch of Sputnik and Astrophysics was born as the application of physics to the phenomena observed by Astronomy, which etymologically means laws of the stars.

There are 2759 entries in this glossary.

All | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

All

Term	Definition
Opposition	The position of one of the superior planets when it is opposite the Sun in the sky, i.e. when its elongation is 180°. At opposition planets are at full phase and reach their highest point in the sky at midnight. At the same time, they achieve their closest approaches to the Earth. As the orbits of the planets are elliptical rather than perfectly circular, some oppositions bring the planets closer to Earth than others. This effect is particularly marked with Mars.

Term

Definition

Opposition

The position of one of the superior planets when it is opposite the Sun in the sky, i.e. when its elongation is 180°. At opposition planets are at full phase and reach their highest point in the sky at midnight. At the same time, they achieve their closest approaches to the Earth. As the orbits of the planets are elliptical rather than perfectly circular, some oppositions bring the planets closer to Earth than others. This effect is particularly marked with Mars.