COSMIC LEXICON

What is a syzygy? Impress your friends with these astronomical terms

Image: Guillermo Ferla

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to space? Just imagine the variety of peculiar objects, scenarios, and environments awaiting there, some of them being completely unimaginable here on Earth.

While we are all familiar with stars, planets, moons, comets, and eclipses, there is a fascinating lexicon of lesser-known astronomical terms you have probably never heard of. Today we'll unveil 10 of these terms, each of which names amazing phenomena that will leave you speechless!

Image: Bryan Goff

Isn't it amazing to look up and see the beautiful stars that light up our night sky? But wait, because you haven't heard of magnetars yet!

A magnetar is a star, but not just any star. It's a type of neutron star born from the remnants of a huge supernova explosion. A magnetar differs from other celestial bodies due to its exceptionally potent magnetic field beating that of Earth by trillions of times. This immense magnetic capacity enables it to emit electromagnetic radiation, including X-rays and gamma rays, and also initiate intense seismic events known as starquakes.

Image: Viktor Forgacs™️

Yes, this word might sound like a delicacy from French cuisine or the name of a precious gem, but that is not what's going on here.

Short for "quasi-stellar radio source," a quasar is an incredibly luminous and energetic object that stands out at the center of some galaxies, powered by huge black holes. With its intense energy and luminosity, a quasar becomes a cosmic force that emits stunning amounts of electromagnetic radiation.

Nowadays, quasars are observed in distant parts of the universe, far away from Earth, offering scientists precious data about black holes and the early stages of galaxy formation.

Image: Doug Walters

Are you a winter or a summer person? Well, regardless of your preference, Absolute Zero would freeze the bravest of winter lovers.

Absolute Zero represents the theoretical lowest possible temperature. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of matter in extreme environments, such as those of outer space.

So, do you want to know what the coldest possible temperature is? It is an incredible -460 degrees Fahrenheit (or -273.15 degrees Celsius), also called 0 Kelvin, which results in particles reaching a state of minimal motion. You can be sure that weird things happen at such temperatures!

Image: NASA

While it may look like we accidentally dropped something on the keyboard, that is not the case. "Syzygy" is a real astronomical term that refers to the phenomenon of alignment of 3 celestial bodies.

It might not sound like the kind of word you'd expect to hear from a scientist, but this funny term is often used to describe the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. When these three align perfectly in a straight line, astronomers describe them as being "in syzygy."

If you stay updated on this month's astronomical events, you might "casually" drop this word into conversation with friends!

Image: OLHA ZAIKA

You may be familiar with meteorites, but have you ever heard of achondrites?

Achondrites are the lesser-known members of the meteorite family, distinguished by a specific characteristic: the absence of chondrules, which are small spherical grains found in other types of meteorites, a feature that makes them special and rare.

Achondrites are thought to originate from celestial bodies like planets or moons. Therefore, they could contain key information about those 'parent' celestial bodies and the events that shaped them.

Image: NASA

As you probably already know, Earth's orbit around the Sun isn't perfectly circular. At certain points, we are closer to the radiant star, while at others, we travel to more distant places. The term "aphelion" denotes the specific moment of a celestial body's orbit at which it reaches its greatest distance from the Sun.

Want to know how far away from our beloved Sun we can be? When Earth reaches its aphelion, something typically occurring in July, it's positioned an average of 94,506,364 miles from the Sun, although this distance may fluctuate due to various factors. In any case, don't forget to wear sunscreen!

Image: Melissa van Niekerk

Of course, celestial bodies' orbits not only have a point farthest from the Sun but also a point closest to it. The "perihelion" marks the opposite of the aphelion. That means it's the point where a celestial body is nearest to the Sun.

When Earth is at its perihelion, it is approximately 91,404,095 miles from the Sun, which occurs in the month of January. While it might not appear significant at first glance, the variance in Earth's distance from the Sun between aphelion and perihelion is around 3 million miles! You know, in the expanse of space, distances aren't exactly just around the corner.

Image: NASA

We have already identified the farthest and closest points to the Sun, so why not find the average? That's precisely what's been done, resulting in a measurement known as the Astronomical Unit.

So, the Astronomical Unit represents the average distance between the centers of Earth and the Sun, translating to about 92,955,807 miles.

Now, let's do some math (don't worry if numbers aren't your thing, we've got it covered). Based on the provided information, when Earth is at its perihelion, it's approximately 0.983 Astronomical Units (AU) from the Sun. In comparison, at aphelion, it's about 1.017 AU from the yellow dwarf.

Image: Braňo

Have you had the chance to take a look at NASA's photos of the Sun? Of course, these images have the power to astonish anyone as they show the glorious beauty of our nearest star. But if you take a closer look at those pictures, you'll notice lighter and brighter spots present in the photosphere (the visible "surface" of the Sun, a layer about 250 miles thick). Each one of these marks is called a facula.

In addition to their luminosity, these spots shine with intense heat, quite warmer than the surrounding areas, and they are found in regions with extremely powerful magnetic fields.

Image: NASA

As you can infer from the end of the word, planetoids are celestial bodies that orbit the Sun, similar to planets but smaller. We can think of them as the little babies in the cosmic family.

That's right, it's another name for minor planets or dwarf planets, such as the well-known Ceres and Pluto. And don't forget, asteroids are part of this category, too.

Planetoids differ from planets in several key aspects: they have a less structured composition and also have more irregular orbits. In addition, because of their smaller size (which can vary from just a few yards to several hundred miles in diameter), planetoids also possess less gravitational pull.

Clear your calendar and learn a few fun facts

How did the months get their names? An ancient Roman legacy

Image: Kyrie kim

A calendar is a system of time measurement based primarily on the seasons of the year. The one we use today is called the Gregorian calendar and is the result of a long process of evolution that began with ancient civilizations. So, when and by whom were the months of the year named? Here’s a hint: The Romans are largely responsible for how we organize time, so it’s not surprising that the current names of the months have much to do with their culture. Join us as we explore the origins of the names of the 12 months of the year!

Image: Glen Carrie

January owes its name to Janus (Ianuarius in Latin), the Roman god of doorways, changes, beginnings, and endings. Janus was depicted with two faces—one looking to the past and the other to the future—making him the perfect deity to mark the start of the year.

Janus symbolized not only the passage of time but also transformation and transitions. His association with doors and portals reflected the idea of opening new paths and closing old cycles. In Roman tradition, January was a month dedicated to reflection and preparation for the challenges of the year ahead, a concept that endures to this day.

Image: Boris Pavlikovsky

February, the second month of the year, traces its roots to the purification rituals of ancient Rome. During this month, the Romans observed the _Februa_—ceremonies meant to cleanse the city of evil spirits and prepare the community for the new annual cycle. As a result, February’s name comes from the Latin februare, meaning "to purify."

The Romans regarded this month as a time to resolve conflicts, settle debts, and restore order. Thus, the origin of the name February is closely tied to the concepts of healing and renewal.

Image: Polina Kovaleva

You probably already know this one—the third month of the year is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. In ancient Rome, March marked the start of the military campaign season when legions prepared to conquer new territories. The name of this month reflects Mars’ significance in Roman culture—not only as the god of war but also as a protector of agriculture and fertility.

Additionally, Mars was associated with spring and the rebirth of nature. March symbolized the return of life after winter, a time of renewal and vitality. As a result, the meaning of March is linked to both war and rebirth.

Image: Bich Tran

The origin of April's name is less clear. However, it is widely believed to come from the Latin aperire, meaning "to open," in reference to the blooming of plants and flowers during this month. Others suggest it derives from Aphrodite, the Greek equivalent of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and fertility.

In any case, April is a month long associated with beauty, spring, rebirth, and fertility. During this time, the Romans held rituals and festivals in honor of Venus to ensure good harvests and prosperity. April’s connection to fertility and the awakening of nature has remained deeply rooted in popular culture ever since.

Image: Tara Winstead

May’s origin is uncertain, but it is widely believed to come from the name of Maia, a Roman earth goddess. Maia, one of the Pleiades—the daughters of Atlas—was associated with the flowering of nature and the beginning of the agricultural season.

However, the fifth month of the year is also linked to the elderly, as the Latin word maiores means "ancestors" or "elders." In Roman tradition, May was a time to honor older generations and recognize their wisdom and experience. This dual significance—as a month of fertility and reverence for elders—reflects the cultural and symbolic richness of the Roman calendar.

Image: Boris Pavlikovsky

June, the sixth month of the year, is dedicated to Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth. Her name is believed to derive from the Latin iuniores, meaning "young," highlighting her influence over both marriage and the younger generation.

Festivities in Juno’s honor during this time of year often included marriage ceremonies and protective rituals for women. Because she was believed to bless marital unions, June was considered an especially auspicious month for weddings. June's association with youth and marriage has left a lasting impression on Western culture, and it is still a popular month for weddings and engagements.

Image: Glen Carrie

The Gregorian calendar was not only influenced by mythology but also by key historical figures. For example, July is named after Julius Caesar, one of the most significant political and military leaders of ancient Rome.

July symbolizes Caesar’s power and authority, as he was responsible for implementing the Julian calendar—a system that provided a more accurate solar cycle than its predecessor. This reform was crucial for maintaining a stable calendar and laid the foundation for the later adoption of the Gregorian calendar we use today.

Image: Glen Carrie

August was named after another Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar. Originally called Sextilis, this month was renamed in honor of Augustus to recognize his achievements and his role in consolidating the Roman Empire. Under his rule, Rome reached its greatest expansion and prosperity, which justified its inclusion in the calendar.

However, August was not always as we know it today. Originally consisting of 30 days, an extra day was later added to match the length of July, ensuring that both months named after Roman leaders had equal days.

Image: SHVETS production

The months from September to December reflect their positions in the original 10-month Roman calendar. For example, September comes from the Latin septem, meaning "seven."

Today, in the Northern Hemisphere, September marks the beginning of autumn and the return to school. However, in ancient Rome, it was a 29-day month dedicated to the Ludi Romani, the "Roman Games." Over time, some sought to rename it. To give you an idea, Emperor Caligula wanted to rename September Germanicus after his father, a general and politician, although his idea never prospered.

Image: Monstera Production

October gets its name from the Latin octo, meaning "eight," because it was the eighth month in the original Roman calendar. Like today, October had 31 days and marked the end of military campaigns that had begun in March. It was also a month under the protection of the god Mars.

As with September, several Roman politicians sought to change October’s name. Wanting to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, Augustus and Julius Caesar, Emperor Domitian didn’t want to be left out. Late in the first century AD, he renamed October Domitianus. Unfortunately, this moniker didn’t survive his death. After several attempts to change it, October’s name finally stuck.

Image: Rahul Pandit

You probably know the drill by now. Since November was the ninth month of the old Roman calendar, its name comes from the Latin term novem, meaning "nine."

But did you know what this month was called in Old English? It was named Blōtmōnað, or "blood month," because it was the time when animals were sacrificed and stored for food before winter.

Image: Boris Pavlikovsky

Ah, December—the last month of the year, the beginning of winter, and the close of the holiday season. But in Roman times, it was the tenth month of the calendar, and thus named after the Latin word for "ten," decem.

Are you curious about what it was called in Old English? The early Germanic people referred to this period as yuletide, alluding to the ancient pagan holiday they celebrated around the winter solstice, which became an ancestor to Christmas.