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  2. Magnetic braking (astronomy) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_braking_(astronomy)

    One possible explanation for the braking is the interaction of the protostar's magnetic field with the stellar wind. In the case of the Solar System, when the planets' angular momenta are compared to the Sun's own, the Sun has less than 1% of its supposed angular momentum. In other words, the Sun has slowed down its spin while the planets have not.

  3. Earth's rotation - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_rotation

    Earth's rotation imaged by Deep Space Climate Observatory, showing tilt. Earth's rotation or Earth's spin is the rotation of planet Earth around its own axis, as well as changes in the orientation of the rotation axis in space. Earth rotates eastward, in prograde motion.

  4. Celestial mechanics - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_mechanics

    The common noun ‘moon’ (not capitalized) is used to mean any natural satellite of the other planets. Tidal force is the combination of out-of-balance forces and accelerations of (mostly) solid bodies that raises tides in bodies of liquid (oceans), atmospheres, and strains planets' and satellites' crusts.

  5. Rotation period (astronomy) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotation_period_(astronomy)

    In astronomy, the rotation period or spin period [1] of a celestial object (e.g., star, planet, moon, asteroid) has two definitions. The first one corresponds to the sidereal rotation period (or sidereal day), i.e., the time that the object takes to complete a full rotation around its axis relative to the background stars (inertial space).

  6. Differential rotation - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_rotation

    Stars and planets rotate in the first place because conservation of angular momentum turns random drifting of parts of the molecular cloud that they form from into rotating motion as they coalesce. Given this average rotation of the whole body, internal differential rotation is caused by convection in stars which is a movement of mass, due to ...

  7. Retrograde and prograde motion - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrograde_and_prograde_motion

    All eight planets in the Solar System orbit the Sun in the direction of the Sun's rotation, which is counterclockwise when viewed from above the Sun's north pole. Six of the planets also rotate about their axis in this same direction. The exceptions – the planets with retrograde rotation – are Venus and Uranus.

  8. Stellar rotation - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_rotation

    This illustration shows the oblate appearance of the star Achernar caused by rapid rotation.. Stellar rotation is the angular motion of a star about its axis. The rate of rotation can be measured from the spectrum of the star, or by timing the movements of active features on the surface.

  9. Poles of astronomical bodies - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poles_of_astronomical_bodies

    The poles of astronomical bodies are determined based on their axis of rotation in relation to the celestial poles of the celestial sphere. Astronomical bodies include stars, planets, dwarf planets and small Solar System bodies such as comets and minor planets (e.g., asteroids), as well as natural satellites and minor-planet moons.