Apparent

in astronomy and general physics, term applied in contra-distinction to real. The motions of the stars are due to the real of the earth, diurnal and annual. The position of a star differs from its real in the heavens by reason of the aberration light. Apparent noon is at the instant the sun is the meridian. The meaning attached to true (q.v.) isa convention. The apparent magnitude a heavenly body is the angle subtended by a at the observer's eye, and depends on the of the body as well as on its real magni- The apparent magnitude of the moon is. greater than that of Jupiter, though the real is much le . Other such distinctions be noted elsewhere.