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physical phenomena > process > physical process > motion > rotation |
rotation comparison table |
Subject | has period | has definition |
---|---|---|
differential rotation | As an object rotates, different parts of it may move at different rates. The Galaxy rotates differentially. | |
libration | Variations in the orientation of the Moon's surface with respect to an observer on the Earth. Physical librations are due to variations in the rate at which the Moon rotates on its axis. The much larger optical librations are due to variations in the rate of the Moon's orbital motion, the obliquity of the Moon's equator to its orbital plane, and the diurnal changes of geometric perspective of an observer on the Earth's surface. | |
synchronous rotation | equal to orbital period | Rotation whose period is equal to the orbital period. |
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