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-Abaft - toward the after end of the ship, behind
-Abeam - bearing 90 degrees from the bow or stern
-Absolute Zero – the theoretical point at which no molecular movement is occurring within
a substance
-Advection
- The horizontal transfer of energy, usually by wind
-Aft - referring to the rear of the ship. You could say, "the
lines are stored aft."
-Air Glow - A faint glow of light emitted by excited gases in the upper atmosphere; much fainter
than the aurora.
-Albedo - percent
of radiation returning from a surface compared to that which strikes it
-Amidships - halfway between the forward and after ends of the ship; also a
helm order for 0 degrees of rudder
-Annual range of temperature
– the difference between the warmest and coldest months at any given location.
-Asshole: loop or
kink in a rope caused by poor coiling
-Astronomical Unit: the average distance from the Earth to the Sun. (about 93 million miles)
-At ease - hands folded
behind the back, feet shoulder width apart; sipping a beer on a beach with a beautiful ladyfriend
-Athwartships - running laterally from one side of the ship (port) to the other (starboard)
-Atmospheric Window - the wavelength range between 8 and 11 mm in which little absorption of infrared radiation takes place.
-Attention - something none of us wishes to pay; feet together at 45 degree angles from each other, fists at side along
seam of pants
-Aurora Australis - glowing light display in the Southern Hemisphere night time sky caused
by excited gases glowing in the upper atmosphere
-Aurora
Borealis - glowing light display in the Northern Hemisphere night time sky caused by excited gases glowing in the upper atmosphere
-Autumnal equinox –
the equinox at which the sun approaches the Southern Hemisphere and passes directly over the equator. Occurs around September
23.
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