noun
- the side of a planet or moon that faces away from the sun and is therefore in darkness
Usage: astronomy
Examples
- The nightside of Mercury experiences extremely cold temperatures.
- Scientists study the nightside of Venus using infrared imaging.
- The spacecraft will orbit the planet’s nightside for several months.
- Temperature differences between the dayside and nightside are dramatic.
- The nightside of the moon is not visible from Earth during a new moon.
- Atmospheric circulation patterns differ greatly between the nightside and dayside.