Syzygy (astronomy): Difference between revisions
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{{About|a straight line configuration of three celestial bodies||Syzygy (disambiguation){{!}}Syzygy}} |
{{About|a straight line configuration of three celestial bodies||Syzygy (disambiguation){{!}}Syzygy}} |
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{{one source|date=March 2012}} |
{{one source|date=March 2012}} |
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==Astronomical usage== |
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In [[astronomy]], a '''syzygy''' is a straight line configuration of three [[celestial bodies]] in a gravitational system. The word is often used in reference to the [[Sun]], the [[Earth]] and either the [[Moon]] or a [[planet]], where the latter is in [[astronomical conjunction|conjunction]] or [[astronomical opposition|opposition]]. [[solar eclipse|Solar]] and [[lunar eclipse|lunar]] [[eclipse]]s occur at times of syzygy, as do [[Astronomical transit|transits]] and [[occultation]]s. The term is |
In [[astronomy]], a '''syzygy''' ({{IPA-en|sɪz.ɪdʒ.i)|lang}}) is a straight line configuration of three [[celestial bodies]] in a gravitational system. The word is often used in reference to the [[Sun]], the [[Earth]] and either the [[Moon]] or a [[planet]], where the latter is in [[astronomical conjunction|conjunction]] or [[astronomical opposition|opposition]]. [[solar eclipse|Solar]] and [[lunar eclipse|lunar]] [[eclipse]]s occur at times of syzygy, as do [[Astronomical transit|transits]] and [[occultation]]s. The term is often applied when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction ([[new moon]]) or opposition ([[full moon]]). |
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The word ''syzygy'' is often loosely used to describe interesting configurations of planets in general. For example, one such case occurred on March 21, 1894 at around 23:00 [[GMT]], when [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] transited the Sun as seen from [[Venus]], and Mercury and Venus both simultaneously transited the Sun as seen from [[Saturn]]. It is also used to describe situations when all the planets are on the same side of the Sun although they are not necessarily in a straight line, such as on March 10, 1982.<ref name="nyt-1982">{{cite news | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE4D6123BF937A25750C0A964948260 | title=Ideas & Trends in Summary; It's All Right To Come Out Now | work=New York Times| date=March 14, 1982 | accessdate=July 25, 2011}}</ref> |
The word ''syzygy'' is often loosely used to describe interesting configurations of planets in general. For example, one such case occurred on March 21, 1894 at around 23:00 [[GMT]], when [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] transited the Sun as seen from [[Venus]], and Mercury and Venus both simultaneously transited the Sun as seen from [[Saturn]]. It is also used to describe situations when all the planets are on the same side of the Sun although they are not necessarily in a straight line, such as on March 10, 1982.<ref name="nyt-1982">{{cite news | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE4D6123BF937A25750C0A964948260 | title=Ideas & Trends in Summary; It's All Right To Come Out Now | work=New York Times| date=March 14, 1982 | accessdate=July 25, 2011}}</ref> |
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==Effects== |
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The gravitational effects of syzygies on planets, especially the [[Earth]], are still being studied. It is known that the gravitic stress on the [[Moon]] during an Sun-Earth-Moon syzygy can trigger a [[Moonquake]], a seismic event on the Moon similar in some ways to an [[Earthquake]]. Some scientists state there is evidence that under certain conditions, earthquakes may also be triggered by a syzygy; others say such evidence is scanty and unconvincing. <ref name=ngn-2005>{{cite news |title=Can the Moon Cause Earthquakes? |author=John Roach |url=http://http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/05/0523_050523_moonquake.html |newspaper=National Geographic News |date=May 23, 2005 |accessdate=5 May 2012}}</ref> <ref>{{cite journal|last=Kennedy|first=Matthew|coauthors=John E. Vidale, and Michael G. Parker|title=Earthquakes and the Moon: Syzygy Predictions Fail the Test|journal=Seismological Research Letters|year=2004|month=September/October|volume=75|issue=5|pages=607-612|doi=10.1785/|url=http://srl.geoscienceworld.org/content/75/5/607.extract|accessdate=May 5, 2012}}</ref> |
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There is no controversy about the effect of a syzygy on ocean tides. The syzygy produces the more powerful '''spring tide''' due to the enhanced gravitational effect of the Sun added to the Moon's gravitational pull. <ref name=Wikipedia>Wikipedia article section: [[Tide#Range variation: springs and neaps]]</ref> |
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==Doomsday predictions== |
==Doomsday predictions== |
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Many [[doomsday predictions]], such as those relating to [[2012 phenomenon|2012 ]], have revolved around a syzygy causing some major disaster. The theory is most likely linked to the moon being out of place, and the [[sea]] rising.{{cn|date=April 2012}} |
Many [[doomsday predictions]], such as those relating to [[2012 phenomenon|2012 ]], have revolved around a syzygy causing some major disaster. The theory is most likely linked to the moon being out of place, and the [[sea]] rising.{{cn|date=April 2012}} |
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Revision as of 04:15, 6 May 2012
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (March 2012) |
Astronomical usage
In astronomy, a syzygy (English: /sɪz.ɪdʒ.i)/) is a straight line configuration of three celestial bodies in a gravitational system. The word is often used in reference to the Sun, the Earth and either the Moon or a planet, where the latter is in conjunction or opposition. Solar and lunar eclipses occur at times of syzygy, as do transits and occultations. The term is often applied when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction (new moon) or opposition (full moon).
The word syzygy is often loosely used to describe interesting configurations of planets in general. For example, one such case occurred on March 21, 1894 at around 23:00 GMT, when Mercury transited the Sun as seen from Venus, and Mercury and Venus both simultaneously transited the Sun as seen from Saturn. It is also used to describe situations when all the planets are on the same side of the Sun although they are not necessarily in a straight line, such as on March 10, 1982.[1]
Effects
The gravitational effects of syzygies on planets, especially the Earth, are still being studied. It is known that the gravitic stress on the Moon during an Sun-Earth-Moon syzygy can trigger a Moonquake, a seismic event on the Moon similar in some ways to an Earthquake. Some scientists state there is evidence that under certain conditions, earthquakes may also be triggered by a syzygy; others say such evidence is scanty and unconvincing. [2] [3]
There is no controversy about the effect of a syzygy on ocean tides. The syzygy produces the more powerful spring tide due to the enhanced gravitational effect of the Sun added to the Moon's gravitational pull. [4]
Doomsday predictions
Many doomsday predictions, such as those relating to 2012 , have revolved around a syzygy causing some major disaster. The theory is most likely linked to the moon being out of place, and the sea rising.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Ideas & Trends in Summary; It's All Right To Come Out Now". New York Times. March 14, 1982. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
- ^ John Roach (May 23, 2005). "Can the Moon Cause Earthquakes?". National Geographic News. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Kennedy, Matthew (2004). "Earthquakes and the Moon: Syzygy Predictions Fail the Test". Seismological Research Letters. 75 (5): 607–612. doi:10.1785/. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help); zero width space character in|doi=at position 9 (help) - ^ Wikipedia article section: Tide#Range variation: springs and neaps
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