What is retrograde planetary perihelion precession?

AI Thread Summary
Retrograde planetary perihelion precession refers to the phenomenon where the perihelion, or the closest point of an orbiting body to the Sun, shifts direction during its orbit. Typically, perihelion precession occurs in a prograde motion, aligning with the orbit's direction. However, in retrograde perihelion precession, the perihelion moves opposite to the orbit's direction. This concept highlights the complexities of orbital mechanics and gravitational influences. Understanding these motions is essential for comprehending planetary dynamics.
magheera
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I know what each word mean independently, I'm just confused as to what sort of motion is trying to be described as a whole.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
hi magheera! :smile:

perihelion precession means that the perihelion moves slightly each orbit

usually, this is prograde, which means in the same direction as the orbit itself

retrograde means the perihelion moves in the opposite direction to the orbit
 
fantastic! Thanks so much.
 

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Thread 'Our Beautiful Universe - Photos and Videos'

This thread is dedicated to the beauty and awesomeness of our Universe. If you feel like it, please share video clips and photos (or nice animations) of space and objects in space in this thread. Your posts, clips and photos may by all means include scientific information; that does not make it less beautiful to me (n.b. the posts must of course comply with the PF guidelines, i.e. regarding science, only mainstream science is allowed, fringe/pseudoscience is not allowed). n.b. I start this...
View full post »

Similar threads

I What causes the precession of the equinox?
Replies
7
Views
2K
A Does the invariable plane of the Solar system have axial precession?
Replies
15
Views
2K
A What is a Bern model in planetary population synthesis?
Replies
9
Views
2K
A N-Body Simulations of Chaos in the Orbits of Trappist System Planets
Replies
12
Views
2K
I Direct vs. Retrograde Precession
Replies
4
Views
4K
I What causes retrograde rotation in planets and moons?
Replies
8
Views
2K
I What is the Possibility of Habitable Planets Around Brown Dwarfs?
Replies
6
Views
3K
I What Are the Best Academic Journals for Aspiring Planetary Scientists?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Solving a Cipher: Celestial coordinates and precession
Replies
2
Views
2K
How to calculate perihelion precession
Replies
4
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top