ABERRATION OF STARLIGHT


Meaning of ABERRATION OF STARLIGHT in English

Apparent displacement of a star or other celestial body resulting from Earth's orbital motion around the Sun.

The maximum displacement is about 20.49 seconds of arc. It depends on the ratio of Earth's orbital speed to the speed of light and Earth's direction of motion and thus provides confirmation that Earth orbits the Sun rather than the reverse.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.