The word "Antisolar" refers to the part of the sky opposite the sun, where shadows are cast. It is pronounced /æntiˈsoʊlər/ (an-tee-SOH-lur), with the stress on the second syllable. The "anti" prefix means "opposite," while "solar" refers to the sun. The spelling of "antisolar" follows English pronunciation rules, with the "a" pronounced as in "cat," the "o" as in "so," and the final "r" barely pronounced. Overall, "antisolar" is a technical term mainly used in meteorology and astronomy.
Antisolar refers to a phenomenon or condition that is opposite or contrary to solar-related occurrences or characteristics. The term is primarily used in astronomy to describe specific optical phenomena that occur in the opposite direction of the sun's position in the sky.
One common manifestation of antisolar effects is the occurrence of the antisolar point, which is essentially the opposite side of the sky relative to the sun's location. This point is directly opposite to the sun when observed from an observer's perspective. The antisolar point often serves as the origin for various antisolar optical events.
Antisolar rays are another important aspect of this concept. These rays are visible sunlight that appears to diverge from the antisolar point. Unlike regular solar rays, which appear to converge toward the sun, the antisolar rays spread out from the antisolar point.
Certain atmospheric conditions contribute to the presence of antisolar optical effects. For instance, ice crystals in the atmosphere can cause light to refract in a manner that produces various antisolar phenomena, including halos, arcs, and glories. These optical events are often seen in the vicinity of the sun's antisolar point.
In summary, antisolar refers to phenomena that occur in the opposite direction of the sun's position in the sky. It involves optical effects stemming from the antisolar point and can be seen in various atmospheric conditions.
The word "Antisolar" is derived from the combination of two roots: "anti" and "solar".
The prefix "anti-" comes from the Greek word "antí", which means "opposite" or "against". This prefix is commonly used to convey opposition or negation in various contexts.
The term "solar" is derived from the Latin word "sōlāris", which relates to the sun. It specifically refers to anything associated with or relating to the sun.
Therefore, when combined, "anti" and "solar" create "antisolar", which essentially means "opposite or contrary to the sun" or "defying the characteristics or properties of the sun".