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obliquity of the ecliptic
obliquity of the ecliptic (symbol ε) The angle between the Earth's equator and the ecliptic. It is the same as the Earth's axial tilt. The mean obliquity, corresponding to the mean equator, is currently just over 23° 26', but is decreasing slowly at a rate of 47.5” per century because of planetary perturbations of the Earth's orbit. The obliquity oscillates between limits of about 22° and 24°.6 with a mean period of some 41 000 years. In the current cycle it was at a maximum of 24°.2 some 9500 years ago and will reach a minimum of 22°.6 in another 10 200 years before starting to increase again. The true obliquity at any epoch is the sum of the mean obliquity and the nutation in obliquity (see Nutation).
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"obliquity of the ecliptic." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "obliquity of the ecliptic." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-obliquityoftheecliptic.html "obliquity of the ecliptic." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-obliquityoftheecliptic.html |
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obliquity of the ecliptic
obliquity of the ecliptic see inclination . |
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Cite this article
"obliquity of the ecliptic." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "obliquity of the ecliptic." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-obliquit.html "obliquity of the ecliptic." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-obliquit.html |
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obliquity of the ecliptic
obliquity of the ecliptic See MILANKOVICH CYCLES.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "obliquity of the ecliptic." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "obliquity of the ecliptic." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-obliquityoftheecliptic.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "obliquity of the ecliptic." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-obliquityoftheecliptic.html |
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