Definition: An "anomalistic year" is a noun that refers to the time it takes for the Earth to complete one full orbit around the Sun, from the point where it is closest to the Sun (called perihelion) back to that same point again. This period is approximately 365 days, 6 hours, 13 minutes, and 53.1 seconds.
In advanced discussions, the anomalistic year can be contrasted with other types of years, such as the "sidereal year" (the time it takes for Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun relative to fixed stars) and the "tropical year" (the time it takes for the Earth to return to the same position in its seasons).
The term "anomalistic" itself can refer to something that deviates from what is standard or expected, but in this context, it specifically relates to the orbit of the Earth.
There are no direct synonyms for "anomalistic year," but you might encounter related terms like: - Orbital period: Refers generally to the time taken for one complete orbit. - Revolution: This can refer to the movement of an object around another, such as the Earth around the Sun.
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "anomalistic year," as it is a specialized term. However, you might use general phrases related to time, such as: - "Time flies" when discussing the length of a year. - "Circle back" when talking about returning to a point (though this is more metaphorical).
An "anomalistic year" is a specific term in astronomy that describes the time it takes for the Earth to orbit the Sun from its closest point back to that same point.