Airy
Encyclopedia
Airy may refer to:
- Sir George Biddell AiryGeorge Biddell AirySir George Biddell Airy PRS KCB was an English mathematician and astronomer, Astronomer Royal from 1835 to 1881...
(1801–92), the British Astronomer Royal from 1835 to 1881, for whom the following features, phenomena, and theories are named:- Airy (lunar crater)Airy (lunar crater)Airy is a lunar impact crater located in the southern highlands. It is named in honour of British astronomer George Biddell Airy. It forms the southern-most member of a chain of craters consisting of Vogel, Argelander, and Airy. A little further to the south lies Donati. Airy has a worn, and...
- Airy (Martian crater)Airy (Martian crater)Airy is an impact crater on Mars, named in honor of the British Astronomer, Royal Sir George Biddell Airy . The crater is approximately 40 kilometers in diameter and is located at 0.1°E 5.1°S in the Meridiani Planum region. The much smaller crater Airy-0, which defines the location of Mars' prime...
- Airy-0Airy-0Airy-0 is a crater on Mars whose location defines the position of the prime meridian of that planet. It is about across and lies within the larger crater Airy in the region Sinus Meridiani....
, a smaller crater within the previous one on Mars, and which defines the prime meridian of the planet - Airy wave theoryAiry wave theoryIn fluid dynamics, Airy wave theory gives a linearised description of the propagation of gravity waves on the surface of a homogeneous fluid layer. The theory assumes that the fluid layer has a uniform mean depth, and that the fluid flow is inviscid, incompressible and irrotational...
, a linear theory describing the propagation of "gravity waves" on the surface of a fluid - Airy disk, a diffraction pattern in optics
- Airy beamAiry beamAn Airy beam is a non-diffracting waveform which gives the appearance of curving as it travels.-Physical Description:A cross section of an Airy beam would reveal an area of principal intensity, with a series of adjacent, less luminous areas trailing off to infinity...
, a non-spreading, transversely accelerating optical wavepacket - Airy functionAiry functionIn the physical sciences, the Airy function Ai is a special function named after the British astronomer George Biddell Airy...
, a mathematical function - Airy pointsAiry PointsAiry Points are used for precision measurement to support a length standard in such a way as to minimise bending or droop. The points are symmetrically arranged around the centre of the length standard and are separated by a distance equal to...
, support points chosen to minimize the distortion of the length of a physical standard (such as the International Prototype Meter)
- Airy (lunar crater)