analemma

analemma

(an-ă-lem -ă) The shape resembling a figure of eight obtained by plotting the position of the Sun relative to the intersection of a meridian and the celestial equator at a fixed (mean) time every day throughout the year. The analemma's vertical extent is a reflection of the changes in the Sun's declination arising from the inclination of the Earth's axis to the perpendicular to its orbit. The horizontal extent arises from the fact that the Earth's orbit is elliptical, which produces a difference between the length of the apparent solar day (the actual time between successive meridian transits of the Sun) and the mean solar day.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

analemma

[‚an·ə′lem·ə]

(astronomy)

A figure-eight-shaped diagram on a globe showing the declination of the sun throughout the year and also the equation of time.

(civil engineering)

Any raised construction which serves as a support or rest.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

analemma

1. A retaining wall at the side of an ancient Greek or Roman theater.

2. Any raised construction which serves as a support or rest.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.