Chitral Astronomical Society

Chitral Astronomical Society

Skies over the Hindu Kush

Encyclopedia

Concept

Orbital Decay

An orbit slowly shrinking due to drag or radiation.

Gradual loss of orbital energy from atmospheric drag, tidal friction or gravitational wave emission, eventually leading to a fall or merger.

Overview

Gradual loss of orbital energy from atmospheric drag, tidal friction or gravitational wave emission, eventually leading to a fall or merger.

See also

Exoplanets

Worlds orbiting other stars.

Perihelion

The closest point in an orbit to the Sun.

Aphelion

The farthest point in an orbit from the Sun.

Perigee

The closest point in an Earth-centred orbit.

Apogee

The farthest point in an Earth-centred orbit.

Obliquity

The tilt of a planet's axis to its orbit.