planetary elongation event Comparison Table

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planetary elongation event comparison table

Subject has definition has elongation is an instance of

conjunction The phenomenon in which two bodies have the same apparent celestial longitude (see longitude, celestial) or right ascension as viewed from a third body. Conjunctions are usually tabulated as geocentric phenomena. For Mercury and Venus, geocentric inferior conjunction occurs when the planet is between the Earth and Sun, and superior conjunction occurs when the Sun is between the planet and Earth. 0°

greatest elongation The instants when the geocentric angular distances of Mercury or Venus are at a maximum from the Sun. varies planetary elongation

opposition A configuration of the Sun, Earth and a planet in which the apparent geocentric longitude of the planet differs by 180 degrees from the apparent geocentric longitude of the Sun. 180°

quadrature Elongation of a planet when it makes a 90° angle with the Sun as seen from Earth. (b) A configuration in which two celestial bodies have apparent longitudes (see longitude, celestial) that differ by 90° as viewed from a third body. Quadratures are usually tabulated with respect to the Sun as viewed from the center of the Earth. 90°

Subject	has definition	has elongation	is an instance of
conjunction	The phenomenon in which two bodies have the same apparent celestial longitude (see longitude, celestial) or right ascension as viewed from a third body. Conjunctions are usually tabulated as geocentric phenomena. For Mercury and Venus, geocentric inferior conjunction occurs when the planet is between the Earth and Sun, and superior conjunction occurs when the Sun is between the planet and Earth.	0°
greatest elongation	The instants when the geocentric angular distances of Mercury or Venus are at a maximum from the Sun.	varies	planetary elongation
opposition	A configuration of the Sun, Earth and a planet in which the apparent geocentric longitude of the planet differs by 180 degrees from the apparent geocentric longitude of the Sun.	180°
quadrature	Elongation of a planet when it makes a 90° angle with the Sun as seen from Earth. (b) A configuration in which two celestial bodies have apparent longitudes (see longitude, celestial) that differ by 90° as viewed from a third body. Quadratures are usually tabulated with respect to the Sun as viewed from the center of the Earth.	90°

Next celestial event: solar event Up: celestial event, planetary elongation Previous celestial event: periodic celestial event