mean anomaly

noun

Astronomy.

1. the anomaly of a mean planet; the angular distance of the planet from perihelion or aphelion.

Example Sentences

Its amount is the correction which must be applied positively or negatively to the mean anomaly in order to obtain the true anomaly.

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Kepler’s Problem, namely, that of finding the co-ordinates of a planet at a given time, which is equivalent—given the mean anomaly—to that of determining the true anomaly, was solved approximately by Kepler, and more completely by Wallis, Newton and others.

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An irregularity in the motion of a planet by which it deviates from the aphelion or apogee.—Mean anomaly formerly signified the distance of a planet's mean place from the apogee: it is the angular distance of a planet or comet from perihelion supposing it to have moved with its mean velocity.—True anomaly, the true angular distance of a planet or comet from perihelion.

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