noun
opposition
An alignment in which two celestial bodies appear on opposite sides of the sky.
The planet reaches opposition and appears across the sky from the sun.
Etymology
Latin oppositio means a placing opposite. Astronomy uses the literal positional sense when two bodies appear in opposite directions in the sky.
More examples
- Astronomers observed Mars near opposition.
- The next opposition offered a favorable viewing opportunity.
- The diagram showed the alignment at opposition.
Forms
opposition