Astronomy, like all subjects, has its own language—and jargon. Language is important. Language has power. My go-to reference on astronomical terminology is Jacqueline Mitton's Cambridge Illustrated Dictionary of Astronomy. The general public probably understands when we talk about planets or star clusters, but what about right ascension? And do they confuse eclipse, ecliptic, and elliptic? Or astronomy and astrology—heaven forbid? This column is a whimsical reflection on some of the odd or confusing or interesting terms that astronomers use.
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