<p>Syzygy is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/31/science/science-watch-a-really-big-syzygy.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">3 or more</a> aligned bodies.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-03-28T15:46:34.163Z
2024-07-28T06:26:37.907Z
2024-07-28T06:26:37.907Z
Starship
<p>In the precise and rigorous astronomical use of the word, does the term &quot;<strong>syzygy</strong>&quot; refer to an astronomical alignment of three <strong>and only three</strong> bodies? Or, can <strong>syzygy</strong> mean an alignment of three, <strong>or more</strong>, astronomical bodies?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-03-28T16:50:19.233Z
One thing, please don't use uncommon abbreviations. It took me a while to figuree out what TYIA was. Changed it, if i got it wrong fix it @Plane Wryter
Starship
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-03-28T17:22:58.327Z
I've deleted the "Dear Mavens" and "Thank you in advance".  The preferred style is to get down to business quickly,  The Salutation and Sign off are excess to requirements.
James K
<observational-astronomy><naming>
Does syzygy mean only three aligned bodies, or at least three aligned bodies?
Plane Wryter
# Does syzygy mean only three aligned bodies, or at least three aligned bodies?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-03-28)

In the precise and rigorous astronomical use of the word, does the term "**syzygy**" refer to an astronomical alignment of three **and only three** bodies? Or, can **syzygy** mean an alignment of three, **or more**, astronomical bodies?

**Tags:** observational-astronomy, naming
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: One thing, please don't use uncommon abbreviations. It took me a while to figuree out what TYIA was. Changed it, if i got it wrong fix it @Plane Wryter  
> **username_2**: I've deleted the "Dear Mavens" and "Thank you in advance".  The preferred style is to get down to business quickly,  The Salutation and Sign off are excess to requirements.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-03-28. Score: 6

Syzygy is [3 or more](https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/31/science/science-watch-a-really-big-syzygy.html) aligned bodies.


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