Calendars and time
Anomalistic Year
Direct answer
Anomalistic Year: An Anomalistic Year is the interval between successive passages of Earth through perihelion.
An Anomalistic Year measures perihelion-to-perihelion return.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Related
- Sidereal Year, Draconic Year, Calendar, Julian Date
An Anomalistic Year measures perihelion-to-perihelion return.
A cycle or timeline schematic for comparing the named timekeeping concept.
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The story behind Anomalistic Year
The concept became precise after elliptical orbits and the moving line of apsides were understood.
Why Anomalistic Year matters
Anomalistic Year’s length differs from tropical and sidereal years because the orientation of Earth elliptical orbit changes slowly.
Anomalistic Year in practice: an example
The anomalistic year is about 365.2596 days, slightly longer than the sidereal year.
Where readings of Anomalistic Year go wrong
A common error is to claim perihelion defines the start of a civil or meteorological season.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Almanac Glossary - Reference definitions for astronomical periods, coordinates, dates, and time scales.
- NOAA Tides and Currents Glossary - Operational definitions for tides, tidal currents, ranges, datums, bores, and amphidromic systems.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Track perihelion return
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More in Calendars & Timekeeping
- Calendar Month
- Dominical Letter
- Equation of Time
- Intercalary Day
- Leap Year
- New Style Date
- Sidereal Month
- Tropical Year
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Common questions
What is an Anomalistic Year?
An Anomalistic Year is the interval between successive passages of Earth through perihelion.
What do people get wrong about an Anomalistic Year?
A common error is to claim perihelion defines the start of a civil or meteorological season.
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