microgravity
/ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈɡræv.ɪ.ti/
Definition
An environment with a very weak gravitational pull, or a condition where gravity's effects are significantly reduced, often simulated on Earth for biological or physical research.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek prefix 'mikros' meaning 'small' and the Latin 'gravitas' meaning 'weight' or 'heaviness'. It was coined in modern scientific usage to describe the near-weightless conditions experienced in spaceflight.
In the news
In this article, microgravity is discussed as a unique environmental stressor that affects biological systems, such as plant growth and human physiology, and as a condition that researchers simulate on Earth using specialized equipment.
NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,206 2 July 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)
Read the full article ↗Astrobiology Web