deviation from the normal or usual order, type, etc; irregularity
3. astronomy
a. Also called: true anomaly
the angle between a planet, the sun, and the previous perihelion of the planet
b. Also called: eccentric anomaly
the angle between the periapsis of a particular point on a circle round the orbit as seen from the centre of the orbit. This point is obtained by producing a perpendicular to the major axis of the ellipse through the orbiting body until it reaches the circumference of the circle
c. Also called: mean anomaly
the angle between the periapsis of an orbit and the position of an imaginary body orbiting at a constant angular speed and in the same period as the real orbiting body
4. geology
a. Also called: gravity anomaly
a deviation from the normal value of gravity at the earth's surface, caused by density differences at depth, for example those caused by a buried mineral body
b. Also called: magnetic anomaly
a magnetic field, for example one produced by a buried mineral body, that deviates from an expected or standard value, usually that of the earth's magnetic field
Derived forms
anomalistic (aˌnomaˈlistic) or anomalistical (aˌnomaˈlistical)