Inferior Conjunction (Noun)
Meaning
(astronomy) the alignment of the Earth and a planet on the same side of the sun.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural events.
Examples
- The inferior conjunction of Mercury occurs about three times a year when the planet is positioned between the Earth and the Sun.
- During an inferior conjunction, the planet's orbit takes it directly between the Earth and the Sun, causing it to become invisible from our planet.
- The alignment of the Earth, Mercury, and the Sun during an inferior conjunction is crucial for the success of NASA's MESSENGER mission to Mercury.
- Astronomers can use the timing of inferior conjunctions to calculate the orbital speed of a planet and refine their predictions of its position in its orbit.
- An inferior conjunction can only occur if the planet's orbit is closer to the Sun than the Earth's orbit, which is the case for Mercury and Venus.