Astronomy Answers: From the Astronomical Dictionary

Astronomy Answers
From the Astronomical Dictionary


[Astronomy Answers] [Dictionary] [AnswerBook] [Universe Family Tree] [Science] [Starry Sky] [Planet Positions] [Calculate] [Colophon]

\(\def\|{&}\)

The description of the word you requested from the astronomical dictionary is given below.

the resonance

In astronomy, a resonance is a case where small effects that can usually be ignored now do have a measurable impact because they happen exactly in step with something else. An orbit-orbit resonance occurs, for example, when a multiple of the orbital period of a moon is equal to the orbital period of another moon, or a multiple of it. A spin-orbit resonance occurs, for example, when a multiple of the spin period of a moon (around its own axis) is equal to the orbital period of the moon, or a multiple of it.