Difference between revisions of "Precession of the equinoxes"
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| − | The precession of the equinoxes describes an astronomical phenemoneon whereby the earth appears to wobble on its axis relative to the stars. This wobble is very slow, taking about 26,000 years to complete.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1134/is_10_115/ai_n16883025</ref> The result of this is that the position of stars and constellations overhead at any particular time gradually changes over the years. For example, the constellation that rises above the horizon at the spring equinox gradually cycles through the signs of the zodiac backwards. Based on this phenomenon, many astrologers now believe we are in the [[Age of Aquarius]]. The star around which all | + | The precession of the equinoxes describes an astronomical phenemoneon whereby the earth appears to wobble on its axis relative to the stars. This wobble is very slow, taking about 26,000 years to complete.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1134/is_10_115/ai_n16883025</ref> The result of this is that the position of stars and constellations overhead at any particular time gradually changes over the years. For example, the constellation that rises above the horizon at the spring equinox gradually cycles through the signs of the zodiac backwards. Based on this phenomenon, many astrologers now believe we are in the [[Age of Aquarius]]. The star around which all the other stars seem to revolve (to an observer on Earth) also changes over time, meaning that Polaris, or the present North Star, has not always been the star closest to north, and will be replaced by other stars in the future. The Earth's axis pointed to the star Thuban in the year 3000 B.C., and it will point to the bright star Vega in the year A.D. 14,000. <ref>http://cdis.missouri.edu/previews/6412/lesson01.htm</ref> |
Revision as of 15:50, May 29, 2007
The precession of the equinoxes describes an astronomical phenemoneon whereby the earth appears to wobble on its axis relative to the stars. This wobble is very slow, taking about 26,000 years to complete.[1] The result of this is that the position of stars and constellations overhead at any particular time gradually changes over the years. For example, the constellation that rises above the horizon at the spring equinox gradually cycles through the signs of the zodiac backwards. Based on this phenomenon, many astrologers now believe we are in the Age of Aquarius. The star around which all the other stars seem to revolve (to an observer on Earth) also changes over time, meaning that Polaris, or the present North Star, has not always been the star closest to north, and will be replaced by other stars in the future. The Earth's axis pointed to the star Thuban in the year 3000 B.C., and it will point to the bright star Vega in the year A.D. 14,000. [2]