Poynting–Robertsonn.
/ˌpɔɪntɪŋˈrɒbəts(ə)n/, U.S. /ˌpɔɪn(t)ɪŋˈrɑbərts(ə)n/ Astronomy.
1. Poynting–Robertson effect n. the gradual spiralling in towards the sun of orbiting interplanetary dust particles as these absorb and re-emit solar radiation, thus losing their momentum.
ΚΠ
1940 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 83 744 Two important processes that bear on the development of a meteor stream..an electro-magnetic process and the Poynting-Robertson effect.
1948 Sci. Monthly June 520/1 The theory of relativity predicts a gradual segregation of the particles of a swarm into different orbits according to size (the Poynting-Robertson effect).
1975 A. G. W. Robertson in G. B. Field & A. G. W. Cameron Dusty Universe 25 All bodies larger in size than about an orange should be..too large for significant inward spiralling by the Poynting-Robertson effect.
1996 Q. Jrnl. Royal Astron. Soc. 37 597 The amount of dust lost by this comet is difficult to estimate, and it would also take a considerable time for this dust to spiral into the inner Solar System under the influence of the Poynting–Robertson effect.
2. Poynting–Robertson drag n. the drag exerted on particles of orbiting interplanetary dust, as these absorb and re-emit solar radiation.
ΚΠ
1950 Astrophysical Jrnl. 111 137 As has been pointed out, the operation of the Poynting-Robertson drag should have been effective in sweeping out rather large volumes of the solar system in astronomically short times.
1978 Science 30 June 1485 Interplanetary dust must eventually spiral into the sun by the action of solar radiation (Poynting-Robertson) drag.
2001 Economist (Nexis) 9 June When confronted with starlight, dust orbiting a star does a weird thing. Instead of flying away from the star under pressure from the light, the dust falls towards it. This is called Poynting-Robertson drag.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1940