Astro*Dictionary
by Michael Erlewine

4 articles for
"Semi-Axis"

Semi-Major Axis [Astro*Index]

Half an ellipse's major axis. The distance from an ellipse's center to its furthest edge.

 

See also: ♦ Ellipse

 

Semi-Major Axis [Munkasey M.]

The distance, in an ellipse, from its center to itsfarthest edge. This measurement is used in Celestial Mechanics to determine the size of a Body's orbit. For the use of "a" as an abbreviaiton, see also: Right Ascension.

 

See also: ♦ Right Ascension ♦ Ellipse

 

Semi-Minor Axis [Astro*Index]

Half an ellipse's minor axis. The distance from an ellipse's center to its nearest edge.

 

See also: ♦ Ellipse

 

Semi-Minor Axis [Munkasey M.]

The distance, in an ellipse, from its center to itsclosest edge.

 

See also: ♦ Ellipse