Encyclopedia > Elongation

Article Content

Elongation

Elongation is an astronomical term that refers to the angle between the Sun and a planet, as viewed from Earth.

When an inferior planet is visible after sunset, it is near its greatest eastern elongation. When an inferior planet is visible before sunrise, it is near its greatest western elongation. The greatest elongation (west or east), for Mercury, is 28°; and for Venus, 47°.

Featured Article

Great River, New York

... housing units at an average density of 43.6/km² (112.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.12% White, 0.00% African American, 0.06% Native American, ...