Axial Precession
This interactive simulator explores Axial Precession in Astronomy & The Sky. Spin axis slowly cones; ~26 kyr cycle changes the pole star (schematic). Use the controls to change the scenario; watch the visualization and any graphs or readouts to connect the model with lectures, labs, and homework.
Who it's for: Best once you already know the basic definitions and want to build intuition. Typical context: Astronomy & The Sky.
Key terms
- axial
- precession
- axial precession
- astronomy
How it works
Earth’s axis slowly precesses with a period of roughly 26,000 years, changing which star lies near the north celestial pole and shifting the equinoxes along the ecliptic. The animation is schematic and much faster than reality.
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