OCCULTATION Meaning and
Definition
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Occultation refers to the astronomical phenomenon when one celestial body, such as a planet or a star, is obscured by another celestial object passing in front of it from the observer's perspective. This phenomenon occurs when the opaque object, which can be a planet, moon, asteroid, or other space object, blocks the light emitted by the object behind it, causing a temporary disappearance or partial obscuration.
The term occultation is closely related to the concept of eclipses, which occur when a celestial body is completely or partially obscured by another object as a result of their relative positions. However, occultations more commonly refer to the obscuration of stars or planets by the Moon or other small celestial bodies.
Occultations can be observed with the naked eye, but they are often studied and tracked by astronomers using telescopes and other precise observational tools. By recording and analyzing occultations, astronomers are able to gather valuable data about the size, shape, composition, and movement of celestial objects and their orbits.
Additionally, occultations have practical applications beyond astronomy. They have been used in navigational systems to determine precise locations on Earth, as well as in radio astronomy to detect and map distant objects in space. Overall, occultation plays a significant role in both scientific and practical aspects of understanding and exploring the universe.
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The hiding or concealing of a heavenly body from our sight by the intervention of some other one-applied to the eclipses of stars or planets by the moon.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for OCCULTATION
- iccultation
- kccultation
- lccultation
- pccultation
- 0ccultation
- 9ccultation
- oxcultation
- ovcultation
- ofcultation
- odcultation
- ocxultation
- ocvultation
- ocfultation
- ocdultation
- occyltation
- occhltation
- occjltation
- occiltation
- occ8ltation
Etymology of OCCULTATION
The word "occultation" has its roots in the Latin word "occultatio", which comes from the verb "occultare", meaning "to hide" or "to cover". This further traces back to the Latin adjective "occultus", meaning "hidden" or "concealed". The term was adopted into English in the mid-17th century to describe the phenomenon of one celestial body being hidden or obscured by another.
Similar spelling words for OCCULTATION
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