An effect of radiation pressure on a small particle orbiting a star that causes it to spiral slowly into the star. The radiation falls preferentially on the leading edge of the orbiting particle and acts as a drag force. For example, a dust grain one micron wide located at the position of Earth would spiral into the Sun in a period of about 3,000 years. Also called Poynting-Robertson drag.
Related category OPTICS AND OPTICAL PHENOMENA
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