2. /Columbia Encyclopedia
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  4. /Astronomy and Space Exploration
  5. /Astronomy: General
  6. / syzygy

syzygy

syzygy sĭz´əjē [key], in astronomy, alignment of three bodies of the solar system along a straight or nearly straight line. A planet is in syzygy with the earth and sun when it is inoppositionorconjunction, i.e., when itselongationis 180° or 0°. The moon is in syzygy with the earth and sun when it is new or full.

    The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia,6th ed. Copyright © 2022, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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