precessions
Slow rotational drifts
Precessions is the plural of precession, which refers to slow, circular motions in which an axis traces out a cone—like a spinning top wobbling as it slows.
The term appears most often in astronomy: the precession of the equinoxes describes Earth's gradual axial wobble over a 26,000-year cycle.
In physics, precessions occur whenever a rotating body is subject to an external force that shifts its axis of rotation.
Equal day and night
- axial tiltRotational axis deviation
- nutationOscillation in rotation axis
- eclipticSun's apparent annual path
- Milankovitch cyclesOrbital shifts affecting climate
obliquity · lunisolar · orbit · perturbation · solstices · astrometry · celestial equator · epoch
Rotational motion quantity
- torqueRotational force measurement
- gyroscopesSpinning axis-orientation devices
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- rigid body dynamicsMechanics of non-deforming solids
moment of inertia · nutation · rotational motion · Coriolis force · conservation laws · kinematics · dynamics · classical mechanics
Gradual movement, no direction
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- gradual changeSlow, steady transformation
- long-termLasting extended period
cyclical · imperceptible · cumulative · secular · millennial · geological · ice ages · periodic
Ceremonial public procession
- marchRhythmic group walk
- cortegeCeremonial attendant procession
- cavalcadeCeremonial traveling procession
- pageantStaged public display
ritual · liturgical · religious · solemn · funeral · wedding · coronation · pilgrimage
equinoxes
Equal day and night
- axial tiltRotational axis deviation
- nutationOscillation in rotation axis
- eclipticSun's apparent annual path
Milankovitch cycles · obliquity · lunisolar · orbit · perturbation · solstices · astrometry · celestial equator · epoch · sidereal
angular momentum
Rotational motion quantity
- torqueRotational force measurement
- gyroscopesSpinning axis-orientation devices
- spinRapid rotation around axis
rigid body dynamics · moment of inertia · nutation · rotational motion · Coriolis force · conservation laws · kinematics · dynamics · classical mechanics · quantum mechanics
drift
Gradual movement, no direction
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- gradual changeSlow, steady transformation
long-term · cyclical · imperceptible · cumulative · secular · millennial · geological · ice ages · periodic · epochal
parade
Ceremonial public procession
- marchRhythmic group walk
- cortegeCeremonial attendant procession
- cavalcadeCeremonial traveling procession
pageant · ritual · liturgical · religious · solemn · funeral · wedding · coronation · pilgrimage · ecclesiastical
precessionsstabilities
States of secure balance
fixities · immobilities · steadiness · constancies · stases
precessionssuccessions
Series of consecutive things
followings · recessions · sequels · aftermaths · consequences
- apsidal precessionRotation of orbital orientation