May. 18th, 2007

lunistice

May. 18th, 2007 07:25 am
prettygoodword: text: words are sexy (Default)
lunistice - n., the points furthest north and south the moon reaches in its monthly revolution.


I may have used this one before, but I still like it. Formed from Latin roots by analogy from solstice -- luna, moon + sistere, to cause to stand. Plus bonus word:


libration - n., a very slow oscillation, real or apparent, of a satellite as viewed from the larger celestial body around which it revolves.


Especially the moon. Wikipedia has an excellent animation. From Latin lībrātio, oscillation, from lībrāre, to balance, from lībra, balance.

And that's our week of astrowords. Back next week with something more down-to-earth.

---L.

June 2025

S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 67
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930     

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jun. 7th, 2025 09:06 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios