Endless Facts, One Snippet at a Time
Syzygy: When Sun, Moon, and Planets Align
- Syzygy is the alignment of three or more celestial bodies in a straight line.
- The term comes from the Greek word for “yoked together.”
- Solar and lunar eclipses are examples of syzygy involving the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
- Planetary syzygies occur during conjunctions and oppositions.
- A rare grand syzygy happens when many planets line up on the same side of the Sun.
- Tidal forces on Earth are strongest during syzygy, creating spring tides.
- Ancient cultures often saw syzygies as powerful omens or divine events.
- The 2000 planetary alignment was a notable modern syzygy.
- Despite myths, syzygies have no catastrophic effect on Earth.
- Syzygies highlight the elegant geometry and rhythm of the solar system.