An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. The number giving the position of any year in the lunar or → Metonic cycle of about 19 years. Each year has a golden number between 1 and 19. It is found by adding 1 to the given year and dividing by 19; the remainder in the division is the golden number. If there is no remainder the golden number is 19 (e.g., the golden number of 2007 is 13).
   

2. Same as → golden ratio.

See also: Golden, adj. of → gold; → number.