The spelling of "anomalistic year" can be a challenge due to its long, complex structure. It is pronounced /ənɒməˈlɪstɪk jɪə(r)/, with the stress on the second syllable. The word refers to the time it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the sun with respect to its apsides- the points where it is closest and furthest from the sun. The deviation of this period from a regular, or synodic, year is what makes it "anomalistic". Despite its difficult spelling, understanding the concept of an anomalistic year is essential in Earth Science.
An anomalistic year is a term used in astronomy to define the time it takes for the Earth to complete one revolution around the sun relative to its nearest approach point, also called perihelion. Specifically, it is the duration between two successive perihelion passages. This time frame is influenced by the gravitational forces exerted on Earth by other celestial bodies, primarily the moon and other planets.
The anomalistic year is slightly longer than the standard tropical year, which is often used as the basis for calendars. This discrepancy arises due to perturbations caused by these gravitational interactions. As a result, the length of an anomalistic year is approximately 365.2596 days or about 6 minutes longer than a conventional tropical year.
The variation in the duration of an anomalistic year has implications for phenomena such as the changing seasons and the position of the Earth relative to the sun. It affects the timing of equinoxes, solstices, and other celestial events. Consequently, the study of anomalistic years is of significance in fields like astronomy, astrology, and climatology.
In summary, an anomalistic year specifies the time it takes for the Earth to complete one revolution around the sun in relation to its nearest point of approach (perihelion). It represents the effects of gravitational influences from other celestial bodies, causing slight variations compared to the conventional tropical year.
The word "anomalistic year" is derived from two main components: "anomalistic" and "year".
- "Anomalistic" comes from the Greek word "anomalos", meaning "irregular" or "deviating from the norm". It is a combination of "ana", meaning "up", and "homalos", meaning "even" or "regular".
- "Year" originates from the Old English word "gear", which refers to the time it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun. The Old English word is related to the Old High German word "jār" and the Latin word "annus".