Maximum Elongations Study

The Maximum Elongations Study generates an event each time an inferior planet (Mercury or Venus) reaches its greatest angular distance east or west of the Sun. At maximum western elongation, the planet is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise; at maximum eastern elongation, the planet is visible in the western sky after sunset.

Create a Maximum Elongations Study

To add a new Maximum Elongations Study to the active workspace:

1. Click Mundane Studies on the menu bar.
2. Click Longitudinal Studies, then click Maximum Elongations in the submenu.

tip

You can also create a Maximum Elongations Study from the toolbar by clicking the Arc Studies drop-down button and selecting Maximum Elongations.

Events Captured

A Maximum Elongations event occurs when an inferior planet's angular distance from the Sun reaches a local maximum. The Event Type column distinguishes Eastern Maximum elongations (visible after sunset) from Western Maximum elongations (visible before sunrise).

Events Table Columns

The events table for a Maximum Elongations Study contains the following columns:

Column	Description
Date Time	Date and time of the maximum elongation event.
Event Type	Type of elongation (Eastern Maximum or Western Maximum).
Body	Name of the inferior planet (Mercury or Venus) at maximum elongation.
Body Longitude	Ecliptic longitude (or right ascension) of the body.
Body Sign	Zodiac sign (with degrees) of the body.
Body Latitude	Ecliptic latitude (or declination) of the body.
Body Distance	Distance of the body from the coordinate origin.
Body Speed	Daily motion of the body.
Elongation	Angular separation from the Sun (the maximum value).
Sun Longitude	Ecliptic longitude (or right ascension) of the Sun at the event.
Sun Sign	Zodiac sign (with degrees) of the Sun.
Sun Latitude	Ecliptic latitude (or declination) of the Sun.
Sun Distance	Distance of the Sun from the coordinate origin.
Sun Speed	Daily motion of the Sun.
Event Interval	Time interval since the previous maximum elongation event.