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Title:

Precession

Url:

http://www.phy6.org/stargaze/Sprecess.htm

Creator:

Stern, David P. (David Peter), 1931-

Publisher:

David P. Stern

Description: This web page, authored and curated by David P. Stern, describes the precession of the Earth's axis of rotation relative to the stars. It describes the discovery by the Greek astronomer Hipparchus that the position of the Sun at any season, measured against the background stars, migrates in a slow cycle of about 26000 years. This "precession of the equinoxes" is caused by the rotation axis of the Earth slowly moving around a cone. Precession may be one of several astronomical processes contributing to the ice ages, as proposed by the Serbian astronomer Milutin Milankovich. This page is part of a large web site, "From Stargazers to Starships" that presents physics concepts through applications to space science and an historical perspective. A related lesson plan and other resources are linked to this page.

LC Classification:

Science -- Astronomy -- Descriptive astronomy -- Solar system -- Planets. Planetology -- Earth as a planet. Astronomical geography -- Rotation
Science -- Astronomy -- History -- Ancient -- Greek
Science -- Astronomy -- Practical and spherical astronomy -- Correction and reduction of observations -- Correction for movement of earth and equinoxes
Science -- Astronomy -- Practical and spherical astronomy -- Correction and reduction of observations -- Correction for movement of earth and equinoxes -- Precession and nutation
Science -- Astronomy -- Theoretical astronomy and celestial mechanics

GEM Subject:

Science -- Physics
Science -- Astronomy
Science -- Space sciences

Key Concept:

Astronomy -- Earth
Astronomy -- Stars
Physics -- Rotation

Date Issued:

2004-09-17

Resource Type:

Reference Material
Instructional Material
Instructional Material -- Instructor Guide/Manual

Format:

Document -- HTML

Audience:

Educator
Learner

Education Level:

High School
Higher Education
Higher Education -- Undergraduate (Lower Division)
Higher Education -- Undergraduate (Upper Division)
Higher Education -- Technical Education (Upper Division)
Higher Education -- Technical Education (Lower Division)
Vocational/Professional Development Education

Language:

English

Rights:

Dr. David P. Stern

Access Rights:

Free access

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Source:

comPADRE

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