obliquity of the ecliptic

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).

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"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

Learn more about citation styles

obliquity of the ecliptic

obliquity of the ecliptic see inclination .

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"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

Learn more about citation styles

obliquity of the ecliptic

obliquity of the ecliptic See MILANKOVICH CYCLES.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

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

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Solar motion from Australia.(Hands On)
Magazine article from: Teaching Science; 12/1/2009
LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.(Letters Editorial)
Newspaper article from: The Register Guard (Eugene, OR); 1/24/2008
Great collapse (kepler's first law).(Report)
Magazine article from: Natural Science; 7/1/2010

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of obliquity of the ecliptic