superior planet

noun Astronomy.

any of the five planets whose orbits are outside the orbit of the earth, namely, the planets Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Compare inferior planet, outer planet.

Origin of superior planet

First recorded in 1575–85; i.e., superior in distance from the sun

Words nearby superior planet

superior ophthalmic vein, superior orbital fissure, superior ovary, superior petrosal sinus, superior phrenic vein, superior planet, superior pulmonary vein, superior rectal vein, superior rectus muscle, superior retinaculum of extensor muscles, superior sagittal sinus

British Dictionary definitions for superior planet

superior planet

noun

any of the planets (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and (formerly) Pluto) whose orbit lies outside that of the earth

Scientific definitions for superior planet

superior planet

Any of the planets Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, whose orbits lie beyond that of Earth. Because these planets never come between the Earth and Sun, they do not exhibit crescent phases, only full and gibbous. Unlike the inferior planets Mercury and Venus, superior planets rise in the east and set in the west in the normal pattern of celestial objects. Compare inferior planet. See also inner planet.