precession of the equinoxes

precession of the equinoxes

n.

A slow westward shift of the equinoxes along the plane of the ecliptic, resulting from precession of the earth's axis of rotation, and causing the equinoxes to occur earlier each sidereal year. The precession of the equinoxes occurs at a rate of 50.27 seconds of arc a year; a complete precession requires 25,800 years.

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precession of the equinoxes

n

(Astronomy) the slightly earlier occurrence of the equinoxes each year due to the slow continuous westward shift of the equinoctial points along the ecliptic by 50 seconds of arc per year. It is caused by the precession of the earth's axis around the ecliptic pole, with a period of 25 800 years

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

precession of the equinoxes - a slow westward shift of the equinoxes along the plane of the ecliptic caused by precession of the Earth's axis of rotation natural action, natural process, action, activity - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"