earthrise

English

Etymology

earth + rise

Noun

earthrise (plural earthrises)

  1. The time of "day" when the Earth begins to rise over the horizon of another planet according to a local observer.
  2. The irregular event of the Earth appearing above the horizon of the moon.

Usage notes

It is often imagined that the Earth can be seen rising and setting regularly from the surface of the moon, but this does not normally occur because of the moon's locked orbit with one face constantly facing the Earth.

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Last modified on 31 January 2011, at 09:20