ellipticity
The planet's ellipticity is evident in its slightly flattened shape at the poles.
Noun: 1. The degree of deviation from a perfect circle; the condition of being elliptical or oval. Specifically, it often refers to the measure of how much a shape, especially a spheroid like a planet, is flattened at its poles. 2. (In mathematics and geometry) A parameter describing the shape of an ellipse, quantifying its elongation.
Ellipticity is a technical term used primarily in astronomy, geodesy, physics, and geometry to describe the shape of celestial bodies or geometric figures. * It is most commonly used to discuss the shape of planets and stars. * It is a measurable property, often expressed as a numerical ratio.
- Noun:
- Scientists measured the ellipticity of Jupiter and found it to be noticeably oblate due to its rapid rotation.
- The ellipticity of the Earth's orbit is very small, but it is not a perfect circle.
- In the equation, the variable 'e' represents the ellipticity of the conic section.
- Polar Flattening / Oblateness: These are closely related terms. is often used synonymously with when describing planets. It is calculated as the difference between the equatorial and polar radii divided by the equatorial radius.
- Eccentricity: In geometry, the of an ellipse is a specific numerical measure of its . An eccentricity of 0 indicates a perfect circle, while values closer to 1 indicate a more elongated ellipse.
- Ellipse (n): A regular oval shape, traced by a point moving in a plane so that the sum of its distances from two other points (the foci) is constant.
- Elliptical (adj):
- Having the shape of an ellipse. "The planet follows an elliptical path."
- (Of speech or writing) Concise and ambiguous, with parts omitted. "His elliptical remarks were hard to interpret." (Note: This is a distinct, figurative meaning).
- Oblate (adj): Flattened at the poles.
- Prolate (adj): Elongated at the poles (the opposite of oblate).
- Ovalness
- Oblateness (specifically for flattened spheres)
- Flattening
- Circularity
- Sphericity
The planet's ellipticity is evident in its slightly flattened shape at the poles.
- the property possessed by a round shape that is flattened at the poles
- the oblateness of the planet