definitions

celestial mechanics

noun

the branch of astronomy that deals with the application of the laws of dynamics and Newton's law of gravitation to the motions of heavenly bodies.

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Nearby words

celestial hierarchy, celestial horizon, celestial latitude, celestial longitude, celestial marriage, celestial mechanics, celestial meridian, celestial navigation, celestial pole, celestial sphere, celestine i

Origin of celestial mechanics

First recorded in 1815–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for celestial mechanics

celestial mechanics

noun

the study of the motion of celestial bodies under the influence of gravitational fields
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for celestial mechanics

celestial mechanics

The science of the motion of celestial bodies under the influence of gravitational forces. See more at Kepler's laws of planetary motion relativity.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.