Aberration
Pronunciation:
UH-bur-RAY-shun
Definition:
A deviation from the expected position or motion of a celestial body caused by the observer’s motion or the properties of the instrument used to make observations.
Sample Sentence:
The aberration of the planets in the telescope’s field of view was caused by the Earth’s motion around the sun.
Aberration of Light
Pronunciation:
UH-bur-RAY-shun uhv LITE
Definition:
A light that deviates from its expected path due to motion of the source observed motion or medium properties.
Sample Sentence:
The aberration of light from the star caused a shift in its apparent position as observed from Earth.
Aberration of Starlight
Pronunciation:
UH-bur-RAY-shun uhv STAR-lite
Definition:
A deviation from the expected path of starlight is caused by the star’s motion, the observer, or the properties of the medium through which the light is passing.
Sample Sentence:
The aberration of starlight caused a slight change in the star’s apparent position as observed through a telescope.
Ablation
Pronunciation:
AB-luh-TAY-shun
Definition:
The process of gradually wearing away or removing material, especially by erosion or vaporization.
Sample Sentence:
The ablation of the heat shield protected the spacecraft as it entered the Earth’s atmosphere.
Ablative Heat Shield
Pronunciation:
AB-luh-tiv HEET sheeld
Definition:
A type of heat shield that uses materials that gradually erode or vaporize during reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere, dissipating heat away from the protected object.
Sample Sentence:
The ablative heat shield on the spacecraft protected the crew and equipment during reentry by gradually wearing away, dissipating the heat generated by friction with the atmosphere.
