Their claim is incorrect. On an astronomical scale, one kilometer is a very small value. In fact, Earth's orbit regularly varies by far more than 1km. According to the NASA's Solar System Exploration website's facts and figures, Perihelion (closest) Metric: 147,098,291 km Imperial: 91,402,640 miles Scientific Notation: 1.47098 x 10 8 km (0.983 A.U.) Aphelion (farthest) Metric: 152,098,233 km Imperial: 94,509,460 miles Scientific Notation: 1.52098 x 10 8 km (1.017 A.U.) That is, Earth's distance from the Sun varies by 5 million kilometers during a single year. A change of one kilometer would not be noticeable.

due to the gravitational interactions of the sun , moon, and earth alone. norte, n. A strong cold northeasterly wind which blows in Mexico and on the shores The aberration due to the rotation of the earth on its axis is termed diurnal aberration or daily aberration. The aberration due to the revolution of the earth about the sun is termed annual aberration. The aberration due to the motion of the center of mass of the solar system in space is termed secular aberration but is not taken into account in practical astronomy. See also CONSTANT OF ABERRATION. 2. The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of parallel rays of light. The Antilles Current eventually joins the Florida Current (north of Grand Bahama Island) to form the Gulf Stream. antilogarithm. , n. The number corresponding to a given logarithm. Also called INVERSE LOGARITHM. antinode. , n. Either of the two points on an orbit where a line in the orbit plane, perpendicular to the line of nodes, and passing through the focus, intersects the orbit. antipodal effects. . See as LONG PATH INTERFERENCE under MULTIPATH ERROR. antipode. , n. Anything exactly opposite to something else. Particularly, that point on the earth 180° from a given place. antisolar point. . The point on the celestial sphere 180° from the sun. antitrades. , n., pl. Either of the two orbital points nearest or farthest from the center of attraction, the perihelion and aphelion in the case of an orbit about the sun, and the perigee and apogee in the case of an orbit about the earth. The line connecting these two points is called LINE OF APSIDES. aqueduct. , n. A conduit or artificial channel for the conveyance of water, often elevated, especially one for the conveyance of a large quantity of water that flows by gravitation. arbitrary map projection. . See APHYLACTIC MAP PROJECTION. arc. , n. 1. A part of a curved line, as of a circle. See also ANGULAR DISTANCE. 2. The semi-circular graduated scale of an instrument for measuring angles. The registered trade name for a high purity, low carbon iron, used for Flinders bars, quadrantal correctors, etc., to correct magnetic compass errors resulting from induced magnetism. arming. , n. Tallow or other substance placed in the recess at the lower end of a sounding lead, for obtaining a sample of the bottom. array. , n. See as ANTENNA ARRAY. articulated light. . An offshore aid to navigation consisting of a pipe attached to a mooring by a pivoting or universal joint; more accurate in position than a buoy but less than a fixed light. artificial antenna. . See DUMMY ANTENNA. artificial asteroid. . A man-made object placed in orbit about the sun. artificial earth satellite. . Of or pertaining to phenomena, projects, or activity in the space between the earth and moon, or between the earth and the moon’s orbit. civil day. . A mean solar day beginning at midnight. See also CALENDAR DAY. civil noon. . United States terminology from 1925 through 1952. See MEAN NOON. civil time. . United States terminology from 1925 through 1952. See MEAN TIME. civil twilight. . The period of incomplete darkness when the upper limb of the sun is below the visible horizon, and the center of the sun is not more than 6° below the celestial horizon. civil year. . A year of the Gregorian calendar of 365 days in common years, or 366 days in leap years. clamp screw. . A label on a nautical chart which indicates a small domeshaped tower or turret rising from a building. current. , n. 1. A horizontal movement of water. Currents may be classified as tidal and nontidal. Tidal currents are caused by gravitational interactions between the sun, moon, and earth and are a part of the same general movement of the sea that is manifested in the vertical rise and fall, called TIDE. Tidal currents are periodic with a net velocity of zero over the tidal cycle. Nontidal currents include the permanent currents in the general circulatory systems of the sea as well as temporary currents arising from more pronounced meteorological variability. A rate applied to a gyroscope to compensate for the apparent precession of the spin axis caused by the rotation of the earth. See also EARTH RATE, HORIZONTAL EARTH RATE, VERTICAL EARTH RATE. earth satellite. . A body that orbits about the earth. See also ARTIFICIAL EARTH SATELLITE. earthshine. , n. See EARTHLIGHT. earth tide. . Periodic movement of the earth’s crust caused by the gravitational interactions between the sun, moon, and earth. east. , n. The direction 90° to the right of north. See also CARDINAL POINT. East Africa Coastal Current. . That part of the equation of time due to the ellipticity of the orbit and known as the eccentricity component is the difference, in mean solar time units, between the hour angles of the apparent (true) sun and the dynamical mean sun. It is also the difference in the right ascensions of these two suns. echo. , n. 1. A wave which has been reflected or otherwise returned with sufficient magnitude and delay to be perceived. 2. A signal reflected by a target to a radar antenna. Also called RETURN. 3. The deflection or indication on a radarscope representing a target. Also called PIP, BLIP, RETURN. echo box. . The interval between two successive conjunctions of the sun with the same node of the moon’s orbit, averaging 346 days, 14 hours, 52 minutes 50.7 seconds in The model disregards friction and inertia and the irregular distribution of the land masses of the earth. The theoretical tide formed under these conditions is called EQUILIBRIUM TIDE. equilibrium tide. . Hypothetical tide due to the tide producing forces under the equilibrium theory. Also called GRAVITATIONAL TIDE. equinoctial. , adj. Of or pertaining to an equinox or the equinoxes. equinoctial. , n. See CELESTIAL EQUATOR. equinoctial colure. . The great circle of the celestial sphere through the celestial poles and the equinoxes; the hour circle of the vernal equinox. See also SOLSTITIAL COLURE. equinoctial point. .