inclination (redirected from Orbital inclination)

inclination, in astronomy, the angle of intersection between two planes, one of which is an orbital plane. The inclination of the plane of the moon's orbit is 5°9' with respect to the plane of the ecliptic (the plane of the earth's orbit around the sun). The inclination of the plane of the ecliptic relative to the plane of the earth's equator is 23°27'8.26"; this angle is called the obliquity of the ecliptic.

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inclination

1. Maths

a. the angle between a line on a graph and the positive limb of the x-axis

b. the smaller dihedral angle between one plane and another

2. Astronomy the angle between the plane of the orbit of a planet or comet and another plane, usually that of the ecliptic

3. Physics another name for dip

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inclination [‚iŋ·klə′nā·shən]

(geology)

The angle at which a geological body or surface deviates from the horizontal or vertical; often used synonymously with dip.

(geophysics)

In magnetic inclination, the dip angle of the earth's magnetic field. Also known as magnetic dip.

(mathematics)

The inclination of a line in a plane is the angle made with the positivexaxis.

The inclination of a line in space with respect to a plane is the smaller angle the line makes with its orthogonal projection in the plane.

The inclination of a plane with respect to a given plane is the smaller of the dihedral angles which it makes with the given plane.

(science and technology)

Angular deviation of a direction or surface from the true vertical or horizontal.

The angle which a direction or surface makes with the vertical or horizontal.

A surface which deviates from the vertical or horizontal.

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inclination

The angle which a line or surface makes with the vertical, horizontal, or with another line or surface.