What does occultation mean?
Occultation refers to the phenomenon of one celestial body passing in front of another, blocking its light, or the act of concealing or hiding something. In astronomy, occultations are used to study the properties of celestial bodies and their orbits. The term can also be used more broadly to describe any concealment or hiding, often in a deliberate or secretive manner. Understanding occultation is essential for astronomers to make accurate observations and predictions about celestial events. The term has a formal and technical connotation, particularly in scientific contexts.
nounThe phenomenon of one celestial body passing in front of another, blocking the light from the background body. Occultation can also refer to the act of concealing or hiding something.
- The phenomenon of one celestial body passing in front of another
- The act of concealing or hiding something
"The astronomers observed the occultation of the moon by the earth, noting the changes in brightness."
"The occultation of the sun by the moon is a rare event."
"The company's occultation of their financial records raised suspicions."
Countable, used to describe multiple events or instances of concealment.
"The astronomers studied several occultations of the sun by the moon."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of occultation
The word occultation originates from the Latin 'occultare,' meaning 'to hide' or 'to conceal.' This Latin term is derived from 'occultus,' the past participle of 'occulere,' which means 'to cover' or 'to hide.' The English term 'occultation' has been used since the 15th century to describe celestial events and acts of concealment.
Usage notes
Formal or technical contexts often use occultation to describe celestial events, while concealment or hiding is described in general contexts.