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Glite Dictionary
anomalistic month

anomalistic month

9.9
The time the Moon takes to return to its closest point to Earth, about 27.5 days
  • noun
  • /əˌnɑːməˈlɪstɪk mʌnθ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mes anómalo
  • An anomalistic month lasts about 27.5546 days.

Examples

  • The anomalistic month is slightly longer than the sidereal month due to the Moon's elliptical orbit.

  • The difference between a anomalistic month and a synodic month can affect eclipse predictions.

  • Astronomers use the anomalistic month to calculate certain lunar phenomena.

  • The anomalistic month is crucial for lunar studies.

  • Astronomers use the anomalistic month to understand the Moon's orbit and its relationship with Earth.

  • The anomalistic month, lasting approximately 27.5546 days, is important for predicting lunar events.

  • Understanding the anomalistic month helps scientists calculate the timing of lunar eclipses.

Surface Forms

anomalistic month singular
anomalistic months plural

Morphology

anomalistic + month

The compound follows a straightforward ADJ + noun composition: it denotes a type of 'month' defined by the adjective 'anomalistic', so the general idea (a month related to an orbital anomaly) is compositional. However, 'anomalistic' is a highly technical astronomical term referring specifically to the Moon's return to perigee/periapsis, so the precise meaning requires domain knowledge and would not be fully predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The noun anomalistic month comes from the simple image of the Moon returning to the same 'closest point' to Earth. The word anomalistic points to that close point and month means the time between those returns, so the term means the time from one 'closest point' to the next.