inferior conjunction

American  

[in-feer-ee-er kuhn-juhngk-shuhn] / ɪnˈfɪər i ər kənˈdʒʌŋk ʃən /

noun

Astronomy.

1. the alignment of an inferior planet between the sun and the earth.

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inferior conjunction Scientific  

/ ĭn-fîr′ē-ər /

1. See under conjunction

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Etymology

Origin of inferior conjunction

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

This bright and effervescent neighbor — at -4.2 magnitude, according to the United States Naval Observatory — reaches inferior conjunction on Jan. 8, which means that Venus moves between the sun and Earth.

From Washington Post • Jan. 1, 2022

At superior conjunction it ought, being then farthest away, to show the smallest disc; while at inferior conjunction, being the nearest, it should look much larger.

From Astronomy of To-day A Popular Introduction in Non-Technical Language by Dolmage, Cecil Goodrich Julius

After the first week in March of this year therefore Mercury will again be approaching inferior conjunction, and again will pass at her closest point to the earth.

From The Fire People by Cummings, Ray

Venus is thus Hesperus or Vesper, the evening star, when following the sun as she passes from beyond him in superior conjunction to inferior conjunction where she is nearest to the earth.

From Young Folks' Library, Volume XI (of 20) Wonders of Earth, Sea and Sky by Holden, Edward Singleton

We were ready to start at the time of the next inferior conjunction of Mercury with the earth.

From The Fire People by Cummings, Ray