Lexic.us

Definition of Libration

1. Noun. (astronomy) a real or apparent slow oscillation of a moon or satellite. "The libration of the moon"

Definition of Libration

1. n. The act or state of librating.

Definition of Libration

1. Noun. The act of librating. ¹

2. Noun. (astronomy) The apparent wobble or variation in the visible side of the Moon that permanently faces the Earth, allowing observers on Earth to see, over a period of time, slightly more than half of the lunar surface. ¹

3. Noun. (context: by extension) A similar rotational or orbital characteristic of some other celestial body. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Libration

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Libration

1. 1. The act or state of librating. 2. A real or apparent libratory motion, like that of a balance before coming to rest. Libration of the moon, any one of those small periodical changes in the position of the moon's surface relatively to the earth, in consequence of which narrow portions at opposite limbs become visible or invisible alternately. It receives different names according to the manner in which it takes place; as: (a) Libration in longitude, that which, depending on the place of the moon in its elliptic orbit, causes small portions near the eastern and western borders alternately to appear and disappear each month. (b) Libration in latitude, that which depends on the varying position of the moon's axis in respect to the spectator, causing the alternate appearance and disappearance of either pole. (c) Diurnal or parallactic libration, that which brings into view on the upper limb, at rising and setting, some parts not in the average visible hemisphere. Origin: L. Libratio: cf. F. Libration. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Libration

Literary usage of Libration

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Moon: Her Motions, Aspect, Scenery, and Physical Condition by Richard Anthony Proctor (1873)
"73), as well as her greatest libration in longitude (corresponding to the displacement of the mean centre from 0 to D, or d, or D', or 3', fig. ..."

2. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by George William Cox (1866)
"Tho libration in latitude is occasioned by the inclination of the ... The libration is of two kinds ; the libration in longitude and the libration in ..."

3. The Moon: Her Motions, Aspect, Scenery, and Physical Condition by Richard Anthony Proctor, Lewis Morris Rutherfurd (1892)
"In making the inquiry we must take into account another libration, called the diurnal libration, which depends on the circumstance that, ..."

4. Manual of Astronomy: A Text-book by Charles Augustus Young (1902)
"Rotation uniform, while orbital motion is variable, causing libration in longitude. Apparent libration due to observer's displacement hy the rotation of the ..."

5. Rudimentary astronomy by Robert Main (1869)
"The libration in latitude is caused by the axis of rotation of the moon not being ... There is a third kind of libration called the diurnal libration, ..."

6. The Moon and the Condition and Configurations of Its Surface by Edmund Neison (1876)
"In 1839 Bessel examined the question in connection with the real libration of the moon, and suggested the adoption of the crater ..."

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