Moon_apsidal_precession.png
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Summary
Description Moon apsidal precession.png |
English:
Apsidal precession. The orientation of an orbit is not fixed in space, but rotates over time. This orbital precession is also called
apsidal precession
. The image shows the rotation of the
Moon's orbit
within its orbital plane, i.e. the axes of the ellipse are changing their orientation. (Distances and sizes are not to scale.)
The Moon's major axis – the longest diameter of the orbit, joining its nearest and farthest points, the perigee and apogee , respectively – makes one complete revolution about every 8.85 Earth years, or 3,233 days, as it rotates slowly in the same direction as the Moon itself. The Moon's apsidal precession is distinct from, and should not be confused with its axial precession . |
Date |
|
Source | Own work |
Author | Rfassbind |
Licensing
Public domain Public domain false false |
I, the copyright holder of this work, release this work into the
public domain
. This applies worldwide.
In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: I grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose , without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. |